Valeda® Light Therapy for Dry AMD
For decades, patients diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were told there was little that could be done. That has changed. NY LASIK is proud to offer the Valeda® Light Delivery System, the first and only FDA-authorized treatment for dry AMD. Our Brooklyn location is one of only five or six practices in the greater NYC metro area offering this breakthrough technology. Serving patients across NYC, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, our experienced team is bringing a new standard of care to those who previously had no good treatment options.
If you or a loved one has been living with dry AMD, this page will walk you through what Valeda is, how it works, what to expect, and how to find out if you are a candidate.
- What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
- What Is Valeda® Light Therapy?
- The Science Behind Valeda: Clinical Evidence
- What to Expect: Your Valeda Treatment Experience at NY LASIK
- Benefits of Valeda Light Therapy
- Is Valeda Right for You?
- Why Acting Early Matters
- Why NY LASIK for Valeda Light Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Valeda Light Therapy
What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in adults over 65 in the United States. According to the National Eye Institute, AMD affects more than 11 million Americans, with the dry form accounting for approximately
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
National Eye Institute
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85 to 90 percent of all cases.
Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision, gradually break down. Over time, this leads to blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading, and challenges recognizing faces. In advanced stages, dry AMD can progress to geographic atrophy, a condition involving the loss of retinal cells that can cause significant, permanent vision impairment.
Until recently, no FDA-authorized treatment existed for dry AMD beyond nutritional supplementation. Valeda changes that.
What Is Valeda Light Therapy?
The Valeda Light Delivery System, developed by LumiThera and now part of the Alcon portfolio, uses a process called photobiomodulation (PBM) to deliver specific wavelengths of light directly to the retina. This gentle, targeted light therapy stimulates the mitochondria inside retinal cells, boosting their energy production and supporting the natural repair processes that dry AMD disrupts.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Valeda is the first non-invasive treatment authorized by the FDA for use in treating dry AMD, representing a significant milestone in
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FDA Authorizes Light Therapy for Dry AMD
American Academy of Ophthalmology
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retinal care.
The treatment uses three distinct wavelengths of light, yellow (590 nm), red (660 nm), and near-infrared (850 nm), each targeting different cellular mechanisms involved in AMD progression. The result is a multi-pronged approach that supports retinal cell health, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and helps slow the progression of vision loss.
There are no needles, no medication, no dilation, and no downtime. Each session takes under five minutes per eye.
The Science Behind Valeda: Clinical Evidence
Valeda is not experimental. It is backed by rigorous clinical research, including the landmark LIGHTSITE III trial, a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled multicenter study. The LIGHTSITE III trial demonstrated improved visual acuity and anatomical outcomes in patients with intermediate dry AMD following photobiomodulation treatment, with results sustained over
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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
Boyer D, Hu A, Warrow D, Xavier S, Gonzalez V, Lad E, Rosen RB, Do D, Schneiderman T, Ho A, Munk MR, Jaffe G, Tedford SE, Croissant CL, Walker M, Rückert R, Tedford CE
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13 months of follow-up.
These findings represent the strongest clinical evidence to date that light-based therapy can meaningfully improve and preserve vision in dry AMD patients, not just slow decline, but actively support better outcomes.
What to Expect: Your Valeda Treatment Experience at NY LASIK
At NY LASIK, we have designed the Valeda experience with your comfort and convenience in mind. Our Brooklyn location features a dedicated Valeda treatment area – a calm, private space designed entirely around your comfort. Appointments are fast and efficient, built to fit a busy New York schedule. Most patients are in and out in under 15 minutes, with no prep, no recovery, and no disruption to their day.
Here is what the process looks like:
Initial Consultation
Your care team will evaluate your AMD diagnosis, review your visual acuity, and confirm whether Valeda is appropriate for your stage of disease. Candidacy is typically based on a best-corrected visual acuity of approximately 20/32 to 20/70 and a diagnosis of early to intermediate dry AMD. Not sure if you qualify? Schedule a no-obligation evaluation and our team will walk you through your options.
Treatment Sessions
Valeda is delivered in structured cycles over several weeks. Treatments are brief, painless, and require no preparation or recovery time. You can drive yourself, return to work, and resume all normal activities immediately after each session.
Ongoing Care
Your provider will monitor your progress over time and recommend follow-up cycles as needed to maintain and build on your results.
Your world deserves to be seen clearly
Our team serves patients throughout NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the greater New York area, and we are proud to be among the only practices in Brooklyn offering the Valeda Light Delivery System.
Benefits of Valeda Light Therapy
Valeda offers a meaningful set of advantages for patients with dry AMD:
- No medication, no injections, no side effects. Valeda is a purely light-based therapy with no known serious adverse effects.
- Painless and non-invasive. No anesthesia, no dilation, and no discomfort during treatment.
- No downtime. Resume your normal routine immediately after every session.
- Clinically proven results. Backed by the LIGHTSITE III randomized controlled trial and FDA authorization.
- Improved and preserved vision. Clinical data supports improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, as well as a reduced risk of progression to geographic atrophy.
- Fast appointments. Each session takes under five minutes per eye, and most visits are in and out in under 15 minutes total.
- Insurance accepted. Valeda is covered by Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans for eligible patients. Commercial insurance currently considers the treatment investigational. Our team will verify your specific coverage before your first appointment so there are no surprises.
Is Valeda Right for You?
Valeda is indicated for patients with early to intermediate dry AMD who retain functional central vision. You may be a candidate if:
- You have been diagnosed with dry AMD by an eye care professional
- Your best-corrected visual acuity falls within the range of approximately 20/32 to 20/70
- You have not been diagnosed with wet (neovascular) AMD
- You are looking for a proactive, non-invasive option to preserve and improve your vision
The best way to determine candidacy is through a comprehensive evaluation with our team. If you are unsure whether Valeda is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Our team serves patients throughout NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding New York area.
Why Acting Early Matters
Dry AMD exists on a spectrum. In its early and intermediate stages, vision loss is gradual – and that is precisely when Valeda is most effective. But dry AMD does not always stay dry.
For some patients, the disease progresses to wet AMD, a more aggressive form in which abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and can cause rapid, severe vision loss. Once that transition occurs, the treatment landscape changes significantly. Wet AMD is managed with anti-VEGF injections – medications delivered directly into the eye, typically six or more times per year, often for years. Even with insurance, those injections typically carry co-pays of $800 to $900 per treatment.
Valeda is designed for the window when the disease is still in the dry stage. The goal is not only to improve the vision you have today, but to help keep the disease from progressing to a point where those options become your only ones. As one way to think about it: if you can keep dry AMD from becoming wet AMD, you’ve already won the most important battle.
That is why candidacy matters, and why earlier evaluation is better than later. If you have been diagnosed with early or intermediate dry AMD, now is the time to ask whether Valeda is right for you.
Why NY LASIK for Valeda Light Therapy
NY LASIK is among a very small number of practices in the greater NYC metro area offering the Valeda Light Delivery System, and one of the only providers in Brooklyn with this unit. That means patients in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and across New York City no longer need to travel far to access this breakthrough treatment.
With multiple locations serving NYC, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, NY LASIK has built a reputation for combining advanced technology with a patient-first approach. Our team is committed to staying at the forefront of vision care, which is why we were among the first practices in the region to bring Valeda to our patients.
When you come in for Valeda, your treatments are overseen by Dr. Moshe Szlecter, our retinal specialist, who brings focused expertise in the diagnosis and management of macular disease. You will be treated in a dedicated treatment area designed for a calm, efficient experience, and our clinical team is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality care at every session.
Photobiomodulation is a light-based therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity. In the context of dry AMD, PBM targets the mitochondria in retinal cells, boosting their energy production and supporting the natural processes that help maintain retinal health. It is non-thermal, meaning it does not generate heat, and is completely painless.
Valeda does not cure dry AMD, but it is the first FDA-authorized treatment shown to improve and maintain vision in patients with early to intermediate dry AMD. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, as well as a reduced risk of progression to geographic atrophy. The goal of treatment is to preserve and improve the vision you have.
Valeda is covered by Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans for eligible patients. Commercial insurance currently considers the treatment investigational. We recommend verifying your specific plan’s coverage with our team before your first appointment. Our staff will handle the verification process on your behalf.
Each session takes under five minutes per eye. Most patients are in and out of the office in under 15 minutes total. There is no preparation required and no recovery time afterward.
Valeda is delivered in structured cycles over several weeks. Your provider will recommend a personalized plan based on your evaluation and how you respond to treatment, and will monitor your progress throughout.
Valeda has a strong safety profile. Clinical trials have shown no phototoxicity or serious adverse effects associated with treatment. Because the therapy is non-invasive and uses low-level light, it does not carry the risks associated with injections, surgery, or pharmaceutical treatments. Your provider will review your full medical history at your consultation to confirm Valeda is appropriate for you.
NY LASIK offers Valeda Light Therapy at our Brooklyn location, making us one of the only providers of this treatment in Brooklyn and one of a very small number of practices in the NYC metro area with this technology. We serve patients from across NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the greater New York area. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
1 National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed April 23, 2026.
2 American Academy of Ophthalmology. FDA Authorizes Light Therapy for Dry AMD. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/light-therapy-photobiomodulation-dry-amd-ga. Accessed April 23, 2026.
3 Boyer D, Hu A, Warrow D, Xavier S, Gonzalez V, Lad E, Rosen RB, Do D, Schneiderman T, Ho A, Munk MR, Jaffe G, Tedford SE, Croissant CL, Walker M, Rückert R, Tedford CE. 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 Mar 1;44(3):487-497. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003980. PMID: 37972955; PMCID: PMC10885856. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10885856/. Accessed April 23, 2026.
Dr. Leonard Bley has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.