A New Approach to Dry AMD: How Valeda Light Therapy Supports Retinal Health

For people living with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), protecting central vision often focuses on careful monitoring, nutrition, lifestyle choices, and managing risk factors. Today, patients in Amarillo may also have access to an innovative option called Valeda Light Therapy, a non-invasive treatment designed specifically for certain stages of dry AMD. At Eye Care Plus, we are committed to helping patients understand their retinal health and explore appropriate options for protecting their vision.

Understanding Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Dry AMD affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for detailed vision. As the condition progresses, changes within the macula can make activities such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving more difficult.

One common sign of dry AMD is the development of drusen, which are deposits that collect beneath the retina. Because AMD can progress without dramatic symptoms at first, regular retinal evaluations are especially important for adults at higher risk.

What Is Valeda Light Therapy?

The Valeda Light Delivery System uses photobiomodulation, or PBM, to deliver specific wavelengths of light to the retina. Rather than using injections or surgery, Valeda exposes the eye to carefully controlled light during short treatment sessions.

Photobiomodulation is designed to influence cellular activity within retinal tissue and support the processes retinal cells rely on to function effectively. Valeda has been FDA-authorized to improve visual acuity in certain patients with dry AMD.

For qualifying patients, potential advantages include:

•          Non-invasive treatment with no injections

•          Short, in-office treatment sessions

•          Light-based therapy specifically developed for dry AMD

•          A treatment approach focused on supporting retinal cellular function

•          The potential to improve visual acuity in appropriately selected patients

Who May Be a Candidate for Valeda?

Valeda is not appropriate for every person with macular degeneration. Patient eligibility depends on factors including the stage and characteristics of dry AMD, current visual acuity, retinal findings, and whether certain advanced changes are present.

A detailed retinal evaluation in Amarillo allows us to examine the macula, identify drusen or other changes, and determine whether Valeda Light Therapy fits into your AMD management plan.

Taking a Proactive Approach to Retinal Health

Dry AMD management should be personalized. Along with discussing treatments such as Valeda, we may recommend regular retinal monitoring, nutritional support when appropriate, UV protection, smoking cessation, and management of underlying health risks.

If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD or have noticed changes in your central vision, schedule an evaluation with Eye Care Plus to learn whether Valeda Light Therapy may be appropriate for you. Contact our offices in Amarillo, Texas, by calling (806) 855-8090 for our South Coulter location, or (806) 318-5055 for our Grand location to book an appointment today.