Short term effects of extremely low irradiance photobiomodulation on retinal function, in age related macular degeneration.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized sham-controlled clinical trial
PubMed 38444247 · doi:10.1177/11206721241236919
What was done
Patients with severe non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and relative foveal sparing were prospectively randomized to an active treatment or placebo group. Treatment consisted of 10 10-minute sessions using wearable metallic eyeglasses containing micro-LEDs that emitted extremely low irradiance broadband red light. The placebo group used the device with LEDs turned off. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and microperimetry (MP) were evaluated before and after treatment.
What was found
No significant differences in anatomical parameters on OCT were observed between groups. Microperimetry mean sensitivity significantly improved in the treated group (p < 0.001), as did central visual function for both far and near vision (p < 0.001). Specific numeric baseline values, post-treatment values, and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides early evidence that self-administered, extremely low irradiance photobiomodulation through wearable eyeglasses may offer short-term functional vision improvements in severe dry AMD without structural damage.
Limits
The abstract does not disclose the sample size (n), participant demographics, or quantitative baseline and outcome values (reporting only p-values). The study only assessed short-term outcomes and showed no anatomical changes on OCT. Results are limited to severe non-neovascular AMD with foveal sparing.