Photobiomodulation reduces drusen volume and improves visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in dry age-related macular degeneration.

Merry, Graham F; Munk, Marion; Dotson, Robert S; Walker, Michael G; Devenyi, Robert G (2017). Photobiomodulation reduces drusen volume and improves visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in dry age-related macular degeneration. Acta ophthalmologica, 95(4), e270-e277. Wiley 10.1111/aos.13354

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PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

Assessments on 42 eyes with dry AMD (age related eye disease study (AREDS) 2-4) were conducted. Multiwavelength light emitting diode (LED) light comprising of yellow (590 nm), red (670 nm) and near-infrared (790 nm) bandwidths was applied to subjects' eyes for a treatment course of 3 weeks. Outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), drusen volume and central drusen thickness.

RESULTS

Significant improvement in mean BCVA of 5.90 letters (p < 0.001) was seen on completion of the 3-week treatment and 5.14 letters (p < 0.001) after 3 months. Contrast sensitivity improved significantly (log unit improvement of 0.11 (p = 0.02) at 3 weeks and 3 months (log unit improvement of 0.16 (p = 0.02) at three cycles per degree. Drusen volume decreased by 0.024 mm(3) (p < 0.001) and central drusen thickness was significantly reduced by a mean of 3.78 μm (p < 0.001), while overall central retinal thickness and retinal volume remained stable.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study demonstrating improvements in functional and anatomical outcomes in dry AMD subjects with PBM therapy. These findings corroborate an earlier pilot study that looked at functional outcome measures. The addition of anatomical evidence contributes to the basis for further development of a non-invasive PBM treatment for dry AMD.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Ophthalmology

UniBE Contributor:

Munk, Marion

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

1755-3768

Publisher:

Wiley

Language:

English

Submitter:

Marion Munk

Date Deposited:

09 Feb 2017 11:10

Last Modified:

25 Jun 2024 10:52

Publisher DOI:

10.1111/aos.13354

PubMed ID:

27989012

Uncontrolled Keywords:

age-related macular degeneration; contrast; drusen; photobiomodulation; sensitivity; visual acuity

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.93003

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/93003

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