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Photobiomodulation improves BCVA, retinal findings in patients with dry AMD
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LumiThera Inc. announced a significant improvement in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and retinal drusen volume in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration when treated with noninvasive photobiomodulation, according to study results presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, according to a press release.
A total of 42 eyes in 24 subjects with dry AMD with Age-Related Eye Disease Study categories 2, 3 and 4 were treated with photobiomodulation. Patients were evaluated for Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and changes in retinal drusen volume, according to the study.
Over a 3-week course, an LED light comprising of red (670 nm), yellow (590 nm) and infrared (790 nm) was applied to the subjects’ eyes.
Researchers found a statistically significant mean improvement in both ETDRS BCVA of +5.9 letters and contrast sensitivity +0.11 log units at three cycles per degree. Improvements were seen immediately following the treatment and maintained for 3 months, according to the researchers.
In addition, mean drusen volume reduction of 0.024 mm3 and central drusen thickness reduction of mean 3.78 µm were seen immediately following the treatment and maintained for 3 months.
After 1 month of follow-up, overall drusen volume as well as mean central drusen thickness significantly decreased, with no new formation of geographic atrophy or disruption of the photoreceptor layers, according to researchers.
“Our goal is to stop disease progression and improve vision to the underserved dry AMD patient population,” Graham Merry, MBBS, said in the press release. He said these results confirm the earlier TORPA I clinical outcome data.
The results have led to the LIGHTSITE study, a 30-subject, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical trial currently enrolling in Canada, which utilizes the LT-300 instrument and multi-wavelength protocol for the clinic, according to the release.
LT-300 is currently in clinical trials and is not CE Marked nor FDA 510K cleared, the company stated. – by Abigail Sutton