FDA Approves LED Device for Treating Leading Cause of Vision Loss
The FDA has approved the Valeda Light Delivery System, an LED-based device, for treating dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss. This device emits specific light wavelengths to stimulate retinal cells and improve vision in patients with dry AMD, a condition previously lacking effective treatments. Clinical trials showed improved eyesight and reduced progression to severe AMD in treated patients, especially in early stages of the disease.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new device, the Valeda Light Delivery System, to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss in adults. This device, which uses light therapy, beams specific wavelengths into the eyes to improve vision in people with dry AMD, a condition affecting about 19.8 million Americans aged 40 and older.
AMD damages the central retina, leading to vision impairment. While there are two types of AMD — dry and wet — dry AMD accounts for roughly 70-90% of cases and had previously lacked effective treatment options. The Valeda system, developed by LumiThera, uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting yellow, red, and near-infrared light to target malfunctioning mitochondria in retinal cells, potentially enhancing cellular energy, promoting blood flow, and reducing inflammation.
In clinical trials involving 100 patients, those treated with the Valeda system showed notable improvements, reading an average of five more letters on an eye chart than before treatment. Additionally, fewer treated eyes advanced to severe AMD compared to those that received a placebo.
Dr. Glenn Jaffe of Duke University School of Medicine noted that the device shows the greatest benefits when used in early stages of dry AMD. This FDA approval marks the first therapeutic option for managing dry AMD, offering new hope for patients with this prevalent vision impairment.
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