Abstract
Purpose :
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a non-invasive light-based technology, targets mitochondrial metabolism and prevents retinal cell apoptosis. This case series evaluates PBM effectiveness in treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (aCSC), proposing it as a viable treatment option.
Methods :
We present a case series of one unique case of aCSC successfully treated with PBM and two remarkable cases of dry AMD who underwent PBM treatment during an ongoing study.
Results :
Case 1: A 68-year-old female with dry AMD, classified as Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) grade 3, had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 50 letters on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart at 4 meters. After a 4-week bi-weekly PBM course using Light Modulation® Low-Level Light Therapy (LM® LLLT), a one-month follow-up with Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) revealed resolution of some macular soft drusen, improving BCVA to 55 ETDRS letters (figure 1A).
Case 2: A 72-year-old female was diagnosed with dry AMD, AREDS grade 3. At baseline BCVA was 52 letters on ETDRS chart. She underwent PBM treatment with LM® LLLT with the same treatment protocol described previously. One month after the end of treatment, SD-OCT showed a partial resolution of some soft drusen in the macular region. BCVA increased to 56 ETDRS letters (figure 1B).
Case 3: A 55-year-old male with aCSC presented with significant pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and subretinal fluid (SRF) on SD-OCT. BCVA was 25 letters on the ETDRS chart. PBM therapy using LM® LLLT involved weekly sessions for 4 weeks, followed by bi-weekly sessions for 2 months. One month after the final session, complete reabsorption of the subretinal fluid was evident. BCVA improved to 60 ETDRS letters.
Conclusions :
PBM therapy emerged as a consistent treatment option for dry AMD graded AREDS 3, inducing complete or partial regression of soft drusen. In aCSC, it effectively led to the complete reabsorption of SRF and partial reabsorption of PED.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.