AMD

Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

What Is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that affects the macula — the small central portion of the retina you use for sharp, detailed vision. AMD is a leading cause of vision changes and central vision loss in adults over age 50. There are two forms:

• Dry (non-exudative) AMD: The more common type, where gradual breakdown of retinal tissue and drusen (yellow deposits) leads to progressive visual decline.
• Wet (exudative) AMD: A less common but more aggressive form involving abnormal blood vessel growth.

What Is Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy?

Photobiomodulation is a light-based therapy that uses specific wavelengths of red, yellow, and near-infrared to stimulate cellular activity in the retina. These therapeutic wavelengths penetrate various layers of retinal tissue, energizing the mitochondria — the “powerhouses” of your cells — and promoting the health of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. PBM therapy is non-invasive, painless, and free from drugs. Each session only takes 8 minutes and can assist in slowing, stabilizing, or even improving vision for patients suffering from dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

PBM is delivered using specialized clinical equipment that precisely controls the light wavelengths and treatment protocols.

How PBM May Help Dry AMD

PBM doesn’t cure AMD, but research suggests it may:

• Improve or stabilize visual acuity in some patients.
• Support healthier retinal cells by enhancing mitochondrial function.
• Potentially slow progression of structural changes like geographic atrophy (GA) — an advanced form of dry AMD.

These benefits appear most promising when PBM is used for mild to moderate dry AMD, before extensive tissue loss has occurred.

What the Lightsite Studies Show

Researchers have conducted a series of clinical trials called the Lightsite studies to better understand the effects of PBM in dry AMD.

LIGHTSITE II Findings

The LIGHTSITE II trial studied PBM in people with intermediate dry AMD. Results showed that:

• Patients receiving PBM experienced a notable improvement in best-corrected visual acuity compared with baseline.
• About one-third of PBM-treated eyes improved by 5 letters or more on standardized vision charts at 9 months.
• PBM-treated eyes showed less increase in drusen volume compared with sham-treated eyes, suggesting possible protective effects on retinal structure.

LIGHTSITE III Highlights

The larger LIGHTSITE III study is a randomized, controlled clinical trial examining PBM delivered in dry AMD patients. At the 13-month analysis:

• The PBM group showed greater improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than the sham treatment group, with a statistically significant difference.
• The PBM group had fewer new cases of geographic atrophy compared to sham.
• No major safety concerns were associated with the PBM treatments.

These results support PBM as a safe, well-tolerated therapy that may benefit people with intermediate dry AMD.

What to Expect from PBM Treatment

• Comfortable Experience: You can either sit or recline during your session.
• Quick Sessions: Each session lasts about 8 minutes.
• Gentle Light Therapy: The device utilizes therapeutic red, yellow, and near-infrared light, providing a soothing experience without discomfort.
• Treatment Plan: The usual protocol consists of one treatment per week for nine weeks, then one treatment per month of three months, repeating this cycle for a total of 26 treatments per year

Treatment frequency and duration may be tailored on an individual basis based on your individual condition and response.

Who May Be a Candidate?

PBM is most often considered for patients with:

• Early to intermediate stage dry AMD
• Visual symptoms but no central geographic atrophy
• Motivation to pursue non-drug, non-invasive therapy

A comprehensive retinal exam, including imaging and visual function testing, helps determine whether PBM therapy is appropriate for you.

Frequently Asked Questions