Light Therapy for Macular Degeneration
Photobiomodulation, a form of low level light therapy, is coming to Rose Optometry, Hamilton, for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), principally the intermediate stage studied in the trials. We are preparing to introduce it. It is not yet available, and this page explains what it is, who it may suit, its honest limits and how to register your interest for the first intake.
Dry AMD and why this matters
Dry AMD is the slow form of macular degeneration, where waste deposits (drusen) build up under the retina and the light-sensing cells of the macula gradually lose function. Until recently there was very little to offer beyond monitoring, AREDS2-based nutritional supplements, not smoking and a diet rich in leafy greens and oily fish. Our macular degeneration page covers the condition, its stages and the difference between dry and wet AMD.
What photobiomodulation is
Photobiomodulation delivers low-energy light at specific wavelengths, typically yellow, red and near-infrared, to the retina through the pupil. Nothing touches the eye, nothing is injected and there is no heat or laser burn. The light is thought to be absorbed by the mitochondria in the retinal cells, the parts of the cell that make energy, and to help them work more efficiently and reduce inflammatory signalling; the exact mechanism in the human retina is still being studied. The device we are preparing to introduce is a Valeda-type multi-wavelength system, the platform used in the published trials.
What the trials showed
The LIGHTSITE series of clinical trials, including LIGHTSITE III, a double-masked, sham-controlled multicentre trial of 100 patients (148 eyes) with intermediate dry AMD, found that eyes treated with multi-wavelength photobiomodulation gained a modest but statistically significant number of letters of visual acuity compared with sham at 13 and 21 months, and that fewer treated eyes progressed to geographic atrophy over 24 months. Several of the trial authors are employed by or consult for the manufacturer. On the basis of these data the Valeda system received FDA De Novo authorisation in November 2024 and carries a CE mark in Europe. Those are encouraging results in a condition that has had no treatment. They are also, honestly, modest: the average gain was a few letters on the eye chart, not a restoration of lost vision, the sham group also improved a little, and it does not work for everyone.
Who it may suit
- People with intermediate dry AMD (the stage studied in the trials), and selected people with earlier disease, confirmed on OCT and retinal imaging.
- People who want to act early, before advanced atrophy, when the retinal cells are still viable enough to respond.
- People already following AREDS2 nutrition and lifestyle advice who want an additional, non-invasive option.
It is not for wet AMD, which needs urgent referral for anti-VEGF injections, and it is not for advanced geographic atrophy where the cells it targets are already gone.
What a course will look like
Following the trial protocol, we anticipate a series of nine short sessions over three to five weeks, each lasting a few minutes per eye while you sit at the device, repeated about every four months to maintain the effect. There is no downtime. Suitability will be assessed with OCT, macular imaging and a full examination beforehand, and the assessment decides the treatment. Regular monitoring continues throughout: photobiomodulation does not replace your macular checks, and any sign of conversion to wet AMD is referred immediately.
Honest limits
This is not a cure. It does not restore vision already lost, it does not stop the need for monitoring, and the controlled trial data currently run to two years, so longer-term benefit is not yet known. It complements AREDS2 supplements, a Mediterranean-style diet, not smoking and UV protection; it does not replace them. We will not quote outcome percentages, and we will measure your acuity, contrast and OCT before and after so that any benefit is documented rather than assumed.
Why Hamilton
Photobiomodulation for AMD has been offered in a very small number of centres in New Zealand, and Waikato patients have had to travel for it. Bringing it to Frankton means people from Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Huntly and Raglan can be assessed, treated and monitored in one place, with follow-up also available through our affiliated practice, Visique Rototuna Optometrists. AREDS2-based macular supplements are available from our online store.
Register your interest
Photobiomodulation for macular degeneration is not yet available at Rose Optometry. If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD, or have a family history and want to be assessed, register your interest here, or call (07) 847 3195 or email info@roseoptom.co.nz with "Macular LLLT" in the subject line. Registered patients will be contacted first, and places in the first intake will be limited.
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt or affect my vision afterwards?
No. You may notice a brief afterimage for a minute or two, then nothing.
I have wet AMD. Is this for me?
No. Wet AMD needs anti-VEGF treatment through your ophthalmologist. Photobiomodulation is for the dry form only.
Can I stop my supplements if I have this?
No. It is designed to work alongside AREDS2 nutrition and lifestyle measures, not instead of them.
Is photobiomodulation for macular degeneration proven?
It has more evidence than any other treatment for dry AMD, including the sham-controlled LIGHTSITE III trial and FDA De Novo authorisation of the Valeda system in 2024, but the measured benefit is modest and the controlled data run to two years. It is promising and worth considering early, not a cure.
Can it reverse macular degeneration or restore lost vision?
No. In the trials treated eyes gained a modest number of letters on average and fewer progressed to geographic atrophy; vision already lost to atrophy is not restored.
How much does light therapy for macular degeneration cost in Hamilton?
Pricing will be published to registered patients before the first intake opens. Register your interest to be told first.
Which device will you use?
A Valeda-type multi-wavelength system, the platform used in the LIGHTSITE trials, alongside our existing LED Pro photobiomodulation system for lid and periocular use.
References
- Boyer D, Hu A, Warrow D, et al. LIGHTSITE III: 13-Month Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Multiwavelength Photobiomodulation in Nonexudative (Dry) Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using the LumiThera Valeda Light Delivery System. Retina. 2024;44(3):487-497. PMID 37972955. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000003980
- Jaffe GJ, Boyer D, Hu A, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of photobiomodulation in dry age-related macular degeneration (LIGHTSITE III: 24-month analysis). Retina. 2026;46(5):783-795. PMID 41791029. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000004822
- Markowitz SN, Devenyi RG, Munk MR, et al. A double-masked, randomized, sham-controlled, single-center study with photobiomodulation for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration. Retina. 2020;40(8):1471-1482. PMID 31404033. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000002632
- US Food and Drug Administration. De Novo marketing authorisation granted to LumiThera Inc. for the Valeda Light Delivery System (photobiomodulation) for dry age-related macular degeneration, 5 November 2024. Reported in Healio Ophthalmology, 5 Nov 2024.
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the AREDS2 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005-2015. PMID 23644932. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.4997
- Waisberg E, Ong J, Yaldo L, et al. Near-Infrared and Red-Light Photobiomodulation for Ocular Aging and Diseases: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther. 2026;15(8):2519-2543. PMID 42323782. doi:10.1007/s40123-026-01427-9
Frequently asked questions
In NZ an optometrist can calculate the prescription for glasses, fit contact lenses, diagnose and treat eye conditions and infections with medication. They can also manage ocular injuries including removing foreign objects. If surgery or specialist treatment is required they can refer to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), hospital, or other health care specialist. NZ-trained optometrists must complete a 5-year degree at the University of Auckland before becoming registered.
A dispensing optician has formal training in optical dispensing. They are qualified to help a client choose frames, read a prescription, discuss lens options, take measurements, order and fit glasses.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the treatment of serious eye disease and ocular surgery such as cataract removal. They do not typically prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
While payment is generally required on the day of appointment, we do offer a number of payment options including Afterpay, Genoapay, QCard, and GoCardless.
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No. We are closed on public holidays and long weekends as we believe our staff should have the chance to enjoy this time with friends and family.
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