Valeda™ Photobiomodulation:

For many years, patients diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were often told that there was little that could be done beyond monitoring the condition, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, and managing risk factors.

Today, that conversation is changing.

Valeda™ Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive, light-based treatment designed specifically for certain patients with dry AMD. It uses specific wavelengths of light to support cellular function in the retina and is the first and only FDA-authorized treatment for dry AMD designed to improve and maintain vision for up to two years in appropriately selected patients.

But what exactly is Valeda, how does it work, and who may benefit from it?

What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, commonly called AMD, is an eye condition that affects the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for detailed, straight-ahead vision.

Dry AMD is the most common form of AMD. It can develop gradually as changes occur in the retinal cells and tissues, including the formation of drusen, which are deposits that can be seen during an eye examination or on retinal imaging.

As dry AMD progresses, patients may notice:

• Blurry or reduced central vision

• Difficulty reading small print

• Trouble recognizing faces

• Increased difficulty seeing in low-light conditions

• Straight lines appearing distorted

• Reduced contrast or visual detail

Not every patient with dry AMD experiences significant vision loss, and the condition can progress differently from person to person. Regular comprehensive eye examinations and retinal monitoring are therefore important.

What Is Valeda™ PBM?

Valeda™ PBM is a photobiomodulation treatment that uses low-intensity light at specific wavelengths to target cellular processes in the retina.

Unlike injections or surgery, Valeda is a non-invasive treatment. The treatment does not require an injection, anesthesia, or a speculum.

The goal is not simply to make the eye "brighter" or to treat the surface of the eye. Instead, photobiomodulation is designed to interact with cells at a cellular and mitochondrial level.

How Does Photobiomodulation Work?

To understand how Valeda works, it helps to understand mitochondria.

Mitochondria are often described as the "powerhouses" of cells because they help produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source used by cells.

The retina has a particularly high energy demand. Retinal cells require substantial amounts of energy to maintain their normal function.

Research has shown that mitochondrial dysfunction may play an important role in the development and progression of dry AMD.

Valeda uses three specific wavelengths of light:

590 nm Light

This wavelength is associated with processes involving nitric oxide and vasodilation, which may support local oxygenation and nutrient delivery.

660 nm Light

This wavelength interacts with cellular components involved in energy production and has been studied for effects related to cellular metabolism, inflammation, and cell survival.

850 nm Light

This wavelength can interact with cytochrome c oxidase, an important component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, supporting electron transfer and cellular ATP production.

Together, these wavelengths are intended to support cellular energy production and retinal cellular health.

What Does Valeda Treatment Feel Like?

One of the advantages of Valeda is that it is designed to be a non-invasive office-based treatment.

There are:

• No injections

• No surgery

• No anesthesia

• No eye speculum

• No dilation required for treatment

The treatment uses controlled light delivered to the eyes through the Valeda Light Delivery System.

Your eye-care professional will determine whether Valeda is appropriate for you and will guide you through the treatment schedule.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

Valeda is not a one-time treatment.

The treatment protocol consists of a series of treatments. The initial course is delivered as 9 treatment sessions per eye over approximately 3–5 weeks. Additional courses may be recommended over time according to the treatment protocol and the patient's clinical needs.

Because AMD is a chronic condition, continued monitoring of vision and retinal health remains important even after completing a treatment course.

Who May Be a Candidate for Valeda?

Valeda is not appropriate for every patient with AMD.

According to its FDA-authorized indication, Valeda is intended for certain patients with dry AMD who have best-corrected visual acuity between 20/32 and 20/70 and specific retinal findings, including:

• At least three medium drusen

• Large drusen

• Or non-central geographic atrophy

The indicated patient population also excludes patients with neovascular (wet) AMD or center-involving geographic atrophy.

Your eye doctor will evaluate your vision, retinal health, imaging results, AMD stage, and overall eye health to determine whether you may be an appropriate candidate.

What Did Clinical Research Show?

Valeda's clinical evidence includes the LIGHTSITE III pivotal trial, a prospective, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multicenter study that followed patients for 24 months.

The study included 98 patients and 145 eyes with dry AMD.

According to Alcon's reported results:

• 84% of Valeda-treated patients maintained or improved their vision at approximately two years compared with baseline.

• More than 60% experienced at least a one-line improvement in vision at approximately two years compared with baseline.

The LIGHTSITE III study met its predetermined primary efficacy endpoint at Month 21.

These results are encouraging because they suggest that appropriately selected patients with dry AMD may have an option beyond simply monitoring the disease.

Is Valeda a Cure for AMD?

No.

It is important to have realistic expectations.

Valeda is not a cure for age-related macular degeneration, and it does not reverse all retinal damage caused by AMD. The goal of treatment is to improve and maintain visual function in appropriately selected patients.

Your eye doctor can discuss whether the potential benefits of treatment are appropriate for your specific stage of AMD.

Is Valeda Safe?

Clinical studies of Valeda have reported a favorable safety profile. Alcon reports that there were no reports of phototoxicity or serious adverse events related to Valeda PBM in the referenced clinical studies.

As with any medical treatment, however, individual results and risks can vary. A qualified eye-care professional should determine whether the treatment is appropriate for you.

Why Early Detection of Dry AMD Matters

AMD can progress gradually, and changes may not always be noticeable in the early stages.

That is why regular eye examinations are so important—especially for adults over 50 or people with risk factors for AMD.

During an eye examination, your doctor may evaluate:

• Visual acuity

• The macula and retina

• Drusen and other retinal changes

• Retinal imaging, such as OCT

• Changes in central vision

• Signs of progression or complications

Early identification allows your eye-care team to monitor changes and discuss available management options when appropriate.

A New Approach to Managing Dry AMD

For patients living with dry AMD, the traditional approach has often focused heavily on observation and monitoring.

Valeda PBM represents a new approach: using targeted light therapy to support retinal cellular function and visual performance.

Its non-invasive nature and clinical evidence make it an exciting development in the management of certain forms of dry AMD.

However, the most important step is determining whether the treatment is appropriate for you.

Could Valeda™ PBM Be Right for You?

If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD, talk with your eye-care professional about your treatment options.

A comprehensive eye examination and retinal evaluation can help determine your AMD stage and whether you may be a candidate for Valeda PBM.

Don't wait until your vision changes significantly to have your eyes checked.

Contact our office today to schedule an eye examination and learn more about the latest options available for protecting and managing your vision.

Your vision deserves proactive care.