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The Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey recently announced it is the first practice in the state to offer the only treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for dry age-related macular degeneration.

Dr. Kenneth Miller, director of Whippany-based LVCCNJ, called the Valeda Light Delivery System “a game-changer for our patients.”

Dry AMD can cause blurred or fuzzy vision, difficulty adapting to low light, distorted lines and permanent blindness, according to the vision center.

AMD “is the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, adding that about 80% of patients with AMD have the dry form vs. wet.

Treatment options previously were limited to dietary supplements and lifestyle adjustments.

The Valeda system, however, is a non-invasive, light-based treatment that stimulates retinal cell function. The process helps to slow disease progression, preserve vision and even enhance sight in some patients, according to LVCCNJ.

The therapy is the first FDA-authorized treatment for vision loss in dry AMD patients, developer medical device company LumiThera Inc. announced Nov. 4, 2024.

What to expect

The treatment delivers wavelengths of light into the eye, stimulating cellular energy production. It involves three sessions per week for three weeks, repeated up to three times a year. Each session lasts just a few minutes per eye, LVCCNJ noted.

“For the first time, we can go beyond just managing dry AMD—we can actually help improve vision. We’re thrilled to be the first in New Jersey to bring this innovative treatment to our community,” Miller said.