What Is Dry AMD and How Can Valeda Help?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of vision loss in adults over 55, affecting millions worldwide. The dry form of AMD, which accounts for around 85–90% of all AMD cases, develops slowly but progressively, gradually damaging the macula—the tiny central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. In the early stages, symptoms can be subtle, but as the disease progresses, reading, recognising faces, and seeing fine detail can become increasingly challenging.
At Peter Ivins Eye Care in Bearsden, Scotland, dry AMD has been a major clinical focus for over 15 years. Practice owner and specialist optometrist Craig McArthur founded Scotland’s first macular screening clinic in 2008 and has played a leading role in introducing advanced imaging technologies and AI-supported retinal analysis to Scottish optometry. Today, the practice is home to The Valeda Clinic, Scotland’s first photobiomodulation (PBM) centre using the Lumithera Valeda Light Delivery System—a breakthrough treatment offering new hope to people with dry AMD.
This comprehensive guide explains:
- What dry AMD is and how it progresses
- Why early detection matters
- How modern imaging helps detect subtle changes
- What Valeda PBM therapy is
- How PBM may support retinal health and visual function
- Why Peter Ivins Eye Care is uniquely positioned to deliver world-class AMD care
What Is Dry AMD?
Dry age-related macular degeneration is a chronic, progressive disease that affects the macula. It occurs when the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)—a layer of cells essential for supporting photoreceptors—begins to deteriorate over time.
Key features of dry AMD include:
- Drusen formation: Yellow deposits accumulate under the retina.
- Pigment changes: The RPE becomes stressed and irregular.
- Reduced macular function: Contrast sensitivity and clarity decline.
- Geographic atrophy (late stage): Areas of retinal thinning or cell loss.
Dry AMD progresses in stages, from early to intermediate to advanced (geographic atrophy). Unlike wet AMD, it does not involve leaking blood vessels, but it can convert into wet AMD, which requires urgent treatment.
Symptoms of Dry AMD
Symptoms often develop slowly and may include:
- Blurry or distorted central vision
- Reduced contrast sensitivity
- Difficulty reading in low light
- Reduced colour vividness
- A need for more light when reading
- A central or near‑central blurred patch in later stages
Many patients with early dry AMD do not realise anything is wrong until a routine exam detects early changes. This is why regular macular assessments—supported by high‑definition imaging—are essential.
How Dry AMD Is Detected
At Peter Ivins Eye Care, the detection and monitoring of dry AMD involves a comprehensive suite of advanced imaging technologies rarely found in primary care settings.
1. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
Using the ultra‑advanced ZEISS CIRRUS 6000 OCT with FastTrac motion correction, the clinic captures detailed cross-sections of the macula. This reveals:
- Early drusen
- Pigmentary irregularities
- Subtle retinal thinning
- Early signs of geographic atrophy
2. OCT‑Angiography (OCT‑A)
OCT‑A visualises blood flow in the retina without dye injections, helping detect:
- Early neovascularisation (conversion to wet AMD)
- Capillary dropout associated with disease progression
3. Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF)
Using blue and green autofluorescence, FAF imaging highlights metabolic stress within the RPE—one of the earliest indicators of AMD. Peter Ivins Eye Care uses the ZEISS CLARUS 500, Scotland’s first true‑colour ultra‑widefield FAF device.
4. Ultra‑Widefield True‑Colour Imaging
The CLARUS 500 also captures wide‑angle, high‑definition, true‑colour photographs to assess drusen, pigment changes, and peripheral abnormalities.
5. AI‑Assisted Monitoring
The practice integrates ZEISS Retina Workplace software with Altris AI to analyse changes over time, detect progression, and support clinical decisions.
Few clinics in the UK—optometry or ophthalmology—offer this level of multimodal, AI‑enhanced monitoring.
What Causes Dry AMD?
Although AMD becomes more common with age, several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition:
- Age (over 55)
- Family history or genetics
- Smoking
- Low macular pigment
- Poor diet / low antioxidant intake
- Cardiovascular disease
- High UV exposure
Understanding your risk profile helps guide lifestyle changes and early intervention.
What Is Valeda Photobiomodulation Therapy?
The Lumithera Valeda Light Delivery System is a non‑invasive treatment for dry AMD that uses specific wavelengths of light to support cellular metabolism and enhance retinal function.
PBM therapy uses a combination of:
- 590 nm yellow light – reduces inflammation
- 660 nm red light – improves mitochondrial energy production
- 850 nm near‑infrared light – promotes tissue repair
These wavelengths are delivered in a carefully controlled pattern directly to the retina using the Valeda headset.
How PBM Works at the Cellular Level
Dry AMD is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. PBM has been shown in studies to:
- Increase ATP (cellular energy) production
- Improve mitochondrial function
- Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation
- Enhance cell survival
- Improve local blood flow and oxygenation
- Support RPE and photoreceptor health
PBM does not cure AMD, but it aims to preserve vision by supporting the retina’s metabolic processes.
Evidence Supporting Valeda PBM Therapy
Research from the LIGHTSITE clinical trials and ongoing studies reported by the Macular Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology indicates that PBM may:
- Improve contrast sensitivity
- Improve visual function and reading performance
- Reduce drusen volume in some patients
- Slow functional decline
Patients often report clearer vision, more vivid colours, and improved reading ability after treatment.
What Happens During a Valeda Treatment?
Valeda therapy is straightforward, comfortable, and quick:
- You sit in a comfortable, upright position.
- The Valeda headset is positioned over your eyes.
- Light therapy is delivered in short bursts lasting several minutes.
- You feel no pain or heat.
- The entire appointment takes around 10–12 minutes.
A typical treatment programme involves multiple sessions over several weeks, tailored to your macular health.
How Valeda Fits Into Complete AMD Care
At Peter Ivins Eye Care, PBM is not used in isolation. It forms part of a comprehensive macular health programme that includes:
- Advanced multimodal imaging
- AI‑enhanced tracking of progression
- Nutritional counselling
- Macular pigment monitoring
- Home monitoring tools (Amsler grid)
- Regular follow‑up assessments
This integrated approach ensures PBM therapy is personalised and carefully monitored.
Who Is Suitable for Valeda PBM Therapy?
PBM may be suitable if you:
- Have early or intermediate dry AMD
- Have difficulty with contrast or visual clarity
- Have drusen or pigment changes
- Want a non‑invasive option to support retinal health
- Have early geographic atrophy
A full Valeda Suitability Assessment—including OCT, OCT‑A, and FAF imaging—determines whether treatment is appropriate.
Why Choose Peter Ivins Eye Care for PBM Therapy?
- First practice in Scotland to offer Valeda PBM therapy
- Among the most experienced PBM clinics in the UK
- Led by Craig McArthur, a key opinion leader in AMD care
- Equipped with Scotland’s first ZEISS CLARUS 500 and the advanced CIRRUS 6000 OCT
- Integrated AI‑driven analysis for unmatched accuracy
- Multi‑award‑winning clinical excellence
Patients regularly travel from across Scotland and beyond for AMD care at The Valeda Clinic.
Valeda treatment – Book Now
…we can help you understand your baseline, your risk, and your options.
📞 Call us: 0141 943 3300
📍 Visit our clinic in Bearsden, Glasgow
📅 Book a Valeda Assessment online
Learn more at www.valedascotland.co.uk
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