The Alcon Valeda Light Delivery System delivers photobiomodulation (PBM) — a treatment that uses specific wavelengths of low-level light to support the health of retinal cells. It is FDA-authorised for dry age-related macular degeneration, a condition that for a long time had no treatment option at all in its earlier stages.
How the Treatment Works
Photobiomodulation applies measured doses of yellow, red, and near-infrared light to the retina. These wavelengths are absorbed by the mitochondria inside retinal cells, supporting the cells' energy production and helping clear metabolic waste. The light is non-thermal and low-level: nothing touches the eye, no laser burn is created, and the treatment is not surgical.
Why We Use It
Valeda is intended for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration with drusen, before the disease progresses to advanced atrophy. It gives us something to offer at a stage where the standard advice has historically been observation and supplements alone. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on the stage and pattern of your macular degeneration, which we assess with retinal imaging first.
What to Expect
Each session is short and comfortable — you sit at the device and look at a target while the light is delivered. Treatment is given as a course of several sessions spread over a few weeks, and the course is repeated periodically through the year to maintain the effect. There are no drops, no recovery time, and you can drive and return to normal activity straight away. We will confirm the exact schedule with you before starting.