Innovative technology aids ophthalmologists in Fresno in combating macular degeneration
New Treatment for Macular Degeneration at Northeast Fresno's Eye Medical Center
The Eye Medical Center in Northeast Fresno is introducing a revolutionary new treatment for macular degeneration. This treatment, known as the Valeda Light Delivery System, is a non-invasive, painless, light-based therapy that aims to slow the progression of the condition and potentially improve vision.
Macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, affects a person's central vision. Currently, there is no cure for the condition, but treatments aim to slow its progression. Dr. Neesurg Mehta, an Ophthalmologist at the Eye Medical Center, explains that for early and intermediate stages of macular degeneration, treatment options are limited beyond vitamins and antioxidants.
The Valeda Light Delivery System changes this by using a technique called photobiomodulation (PBM). This therapy delivers specific wavelengths of low-level light—yellow, near-infrared, and red—to upregulate mitochondrial function and improve cellular energy production in retinal support cells. By doing so, it helps slow the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and can improve vision by reducing cellular damage and waste deposits called drusen.
The treatment sessions at the Eye Medical Center last for about 30 seconds each and span over four months. This requires patients to come in several times a week. The system senses the patient's head position to deliver diffuse light accurately without requiring manual aiming.
Dr. Mehta states that the goal of using the Valeda Light Delivery System is to improve the function of cells supporting the retina and slow down the progression of macular degeneration. By stimulating these cells, the treatment helps them work better and die less quickly. This, in turn, can help maintain and even improve vision for patients with macular degeneration.
The Valeda Light Delivery System offered at the Eye Medical Center is the first non-invasive treatment for macular degeneration offered by the center. It represents a significant breakthrough for patients with moderate dry AMD, as it improves retinal cell function and vision safely and painlessly without invasive interventions.
Results often appear within weeks and may last for several months, with retreatment recommended every 4-6 months to maintain benefits. This FDA-authorized therapy offers hope for those affected by macular degeneration, as it targets the condition at its early stages to prevent the onset of advanced changes.
[1] Valeda Light Delivery System: A New Hope for Macular Degeneration Patients [2] Photobiomodulation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review [3] The Valeda Light Delivery System for the Treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration [4] The Valeda Light Delivery System: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration [5] The Valeda Light Delivery System for the Treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Case Series
Science has ushered in a new hope for macular degeneration patients with the introduction of the Valeda Light Delivery System. This medical-condition-targeted technology, a non-invasive light-based therapy, is revolutionizing eye-health treatments, offering a promising solution for health-and-wellness issues related to macular degeneration.
