If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), you know how frustrating it can be to hear that options for protecting your sight have historically been limited. Beyond lifestyle changes and specific eye vitamins, treatments for the early to intermediate stages of dry AMD were few and far between.
However, recent advancements in eye care technology have introduced a promising new option: light therapy, also known in the medical world as photobiomodulation.

What is light therapy for dry AMD?

Light therapy (photobiomodulation) is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to support the cells in your retina.
Think of the retinal cells at the back of your eye as having tiny internal batteries called mitochondria. As we age—and particularly with dry AMD—these cellular batteries can lose energy, leading to cellular dysfunction and vision decline over time. The red and near-infrared light delivered during photobiomodulation helps stimulate these mitochondria, boosting energy production and supporting cell health.

How does light therapy help protect vision?

In clinical trials evaluating light delivery systems (such as the FDA-authorized Valeda® system), light therapy showed several key benefits for dry AMD patients:

• Slowed Disease Progression: It slowed the movement toward severe vision loss and advanced stages like geographic atrophy.
• Reduced Drusen: It helped reduce the buildup of drusen—the tiny metabolic waste deposits that accumulate in the retina during dry AMD.
• Improved Visual Acuity: Some patients in clinical studies saw measurable improvements on eye charts, gaining two or more lines of vision clarity.

Am I a good candidate for light therapy?

Light therapy is primarily aimed at individuals with early to intermediate dry AMD who still retain functional vision (typically between 20/30 and 20/100).

• Wet AMD: Light therapy is not authorized for wet AMD, which requires specialized injections to manage leaking blood vessels.
• Advanced Dry AMD (Geographic Atrophy): While it cannot reverse vision loss in tissue that has already been destroyed, it may offer support if central vision tissue is still intact.

A thorough comprehensive eye exam and retinal evaluation at our clinic are necessary to determine if photobiomodulation is appropriate for your specific stage of AMD.

What is a treatment session like?

Treatment is fast, simple, and comfortable:

• No Dilating Drops Needed: You won’t need to have your eyes dilated before the procedure.
• Quick Duration: Each session takes roughly 4 minutes per eye, with the whole visit usually lasting under 10 minutes.
• Painless Experience: You simply sit comfortably in front of the device and look into the light source (alternating between eyes open and closed as directed).

In clinical settings, a full course of light therapy is typically administered periodically (e.g., every four months) to maintain visual outcomes.

Can I buy a red light device online to use at home?

We strongly advise against buying over-the-counter red light devices or glasses online for eye conditions.
Clinical light therapy devices are calibrated to deliver exact, safe wavelengths and intensity levels of light directly to the retina. Unverified or unmonitored home devices lack safety testing for ocular use and could potentially cause damage to delicate eye tissue if misused or overused. Always seek treatment administered directly by trained eye care professionals.

Is light therapy covered by insurance?

Because medical-grade light therapy is a relatively recent technological authorization for dry AMD, Medicare and most private health insurance plans do not currently cover it. As a result, treatment is usually an out-of-pocket investment. Our clinic team is happy to discuss payment options, scheduling, and what to expect during your consultation.

Schedule Your AMD Consultation Today

While light therapy is not a cure for macular degeneration, it represents an exciting, non-invasive frontier in proactive eye care. If you’d like to learn more about managing dry AMD or want to evaluate whether advanced therapy options are suitable for your vision, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Petrou Eye Care of Glendale, WI is growing! If you love beautiful eyewear and taking care of the nicest people, working with the team at Petrou Eye Care may be your perfect fit. We offer a professional medical environment in a high fashion optical boutique with competitive wages, no late evening/weekend/holiday hours, and in-house eye care and eyewear benefits.

NOW SEEKING OPTICIAN/STYLIST
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting our patients in frame and lens selection
• Premium frame merchandising and styling
• High-level understanding of vision plans and billing
• Collecting and processing payments

Applicants must be dependable, enthusiastic, collaborative, proficient with Mac OS, and have a polished appearance. Optical and EHR experience is a must. If this sounds fulfilling and fun, please submit your resume to careers@petroueyecare.com (Attn: Kathleen). No phone calls or drop ins, please. Qualified applicants will be notified.

Petrou Eye Care is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

LIGHT THERAPY PACKAGE SALE – 25% OFF!

• Buy three, get one free! Buy any 3 Light Therapy sessions and the 4th is free

• Can purchase up to three 4-packs, a savings of 25%

• Sessions never expire!

• Includes any professional in-office treatment: Ocular or Full Face IPL, Red or Blue Light Therapy

• Use your HSA or FSA for diagnosed medical conditions

• Cannot combine with other discounts.

FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR DRY EYES, ROSACEA AND/OR STYES?

At Petrou Eye Care, we’re dedicated to providing our patients with the most up-to-date eye care. That’s why we offer Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) as part of our ocular surface disease treatment options!

WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE?

Dry eye is a condition affecting millions of people. It occurs when your eyes produce low quality tears, and/or an inadequate amount of tears. Familiar symptoms include: dryness & irritation, intermittent blurry vision, hordeola and chalazia, and light sensitivity. Common culprits include Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, excessive screen time, allergies and some medical conditions.

HOW DOES PULSE LIGHT (IPL) THERAPY WORK?

IPL is a non-surgical and non-invasive therapy that treats dry eye syndrome often caused by malfunctioning meibomian glands, which secrete oils to slow down the evaporation of tears. During treatment, a handheld device is used to emit pulses of light targeted at the meibomian glands. This process melts away stagnant secretions and allows the meibomian glands to produce more of the oils needed to slow down the evaporation of tears.

Multiple sessions are typically prescribed, and the effects are cumulative.

HOW DOES LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY (LLLT) WORK?

Low-level light treatment is a non-surgical and non-invasive therapy that uses specialized LEDs to increase tear production by reducing inflammation and stimulating cell activity, helping rejuvenate oil gland activity in the eyelids. A mask is placed over your clean face, and is completely painless. Multiple sessions are typically prescribed, and the effects are cumulative.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IPL & LLLT?

While IPL offers thermal-based effects, LLLT is athermal and has additive photobiomodulation (non-ionizing light to treat pain and inflammation) effects on the lids and around the eyes. IPL involves your eyes being protected by patches with pulses of light being administered by a medical professional, while a mask is worn during LLLT. It is not uncommon for your doctor to prescribe both treatments to achieve the best results.

ARE THE PROCEDURES PAINFUL?

IPL therapy is generally well-tolerated by patients, and LLLT therapy is painless. Our team takes every precaution possible to ensure that our patients are comfortable during both procedures. Patients will feel a temporary sensation during IPL treatments when the device emits pulses of light.

ARE THE PROCEDURES SAFE?

Light therapy is safe and FDA-approved.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIGHT THERAPY?

If you experience chronic dry eye symptoms that persist with a regular eye drops regimen, you may be a good candidate for IPL and/or LLLT treatments. Dr. Petrou will discuss your individual symptoms and medical history and determine if Light Therapy is right for you.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FOLLOWING LIGHT THERAPY?

Following treatment, you will be able to resume your normal activities. You may experience some minor redness and inflammation. After your visit, please wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen to your face, including the skin around your eyes.

WHAT RESULTS SHOULD I EXPECT?

Most patients report improvement in their symptoms after their initial treatment and less dependence on artificial tears and other eye drops used to control dry eye. Clinical studies have found that symptoms continue to improve after each treatment, with maximum improvement typically occurring after the fourth treatment session. Unlike artificial tears that offer temporary relief, Light Therapy addresses the underlying causes of dry eye, offering months of comfort. Many patients notice less fine lines and wrinkles in the areas treated.

HOW MANY TREATMENT SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

The number of treatment sessions you will need depends on the severity of your case. Most patients require four to six treatment sessions, followed by annual/biannual touch ups. If you require more than one treatment, we offer Bundle pricing on some services.

HOW MUCH ARE LIGHT THERAPY TREATMENTS?

Petrou Eye Care provides Medical Grade Light Therapy Treatments for dry eye and ocular surface conditions of ocular rosacea, demodex blepharitis, meibomian gland disease, and more, beginning at $250. Medical insurance can be used for all doctor consultations, and we offer bundle discount packages for those needing more than one visit. You may use your FSA and HSA funds to pay for medically-related light therapy treatments. Spas may offer IPL services to improve facial skin appearance with much higher costs and they encourage tipping. The medical professionals at Petrou Eye Care do not accept tipping and only provide high quality, result-driven IPL and Low level Light Therapy for long term eye health and ocular comfort benefits.

Ready to experience dry eye relief? Contact Petrou Eye Care today to schedule an office visit and learn more about how Light Therapy treatments can help you find lasting relief from dry eyes.
*IPL and LLLT Technology is intended for the external dermatological and periocular treatment of moderate inflammation from dry eye disease, meibomian gland deficiency, superficial vascularization, benign pigmented lesions, periocular wrinkles and rhytides (fine lines).

For more information on Light Therapy, go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8149274/

Vuity is new and is the first FDA-approved eye drop for loss of near focus called Presbyopia, also known as age-related blurry near vision.

It is ideal for most eyes with mild near blur from presbyopia and is available through pharmacies with a prescription from your eye doctor.

Ask Dr Petrou if Vuity is right for you. Call or email today to schedule an appointment.

For important safety information about Vuity go to https://www.vuity.com