Eye‑Light Versus Valeda: What Do You Need to Know?
If you’ve been diagnosed with early or intermediate dry age‑related macular degeneration (dry AMD), you’ve probably seen more discussion about photobiomodulation (PBM)—a light‑based treatment designed to support retinal cell function. Two devices are most commonly mentioned in this space: Valeda® (LumiThera/Alcon) and eye‑light® (Espansione/Topcon).
At Peter Ivins Eye Care, we’re in a unique position: we own and operate both systems. However, when it comes to dry AMD, our clinical recommendation is clear:
If you are considering PBM for dry AMD, Valeda is the evidence‑led choice.
Eye‑light is a valuable device in our practice—but for dry eye and ocular surface disease, where there is supportive evidence and clear clinical utility.
This article explains why—in plain English—so you can make an informed decision.
Which is better for dry AMD: Valeda or Eye‑Light?
Valeda currently has stronger clinical evidence for dry AMD, including a large randomised, sham‑controlled clinical trial (LIGHTSITE III) with published outcomes and regulatory recognition in the US.
Eye‑Light’s dry AMD evidence is earlier and more limited (short‑term outcomes and fewer independent, long‑duration publications), so we do not recommend it as a first‑choice PBM option for dry AMD at this time.
Valeda vs Eye‑Light for dry AMD:
- Valeda has the strongest evidence base, including a large randomised, sham‑controlled trial (LIGHTSITE III) showing statistically significant visual acuity benefit and encouraging anatomical findings.
- Eye‑Light has promising early data (e.g., DRUSEN/LightWave I short‑term results) but does not yet match Valeda’s depth, duration, or breadth of published evidence for dry AMD.
- Eye‑Light is well‑supported for dry eye/MGD (LLLT and IPL/LLLT protocols) and is best positioned for ocular surface disease, not as the leading choice for dry AMD PBM.
Why evidence matters in dry AMD
Dry AMD is typically slow and progressive. The goal of any treatment is to:
- preserve function (like reading vision and contrast), and
- reduce the risk of progression toward more advanced disease such as geographic atrophy (GA).
Because of that, we place a high value on well‑designed clinical trials:
- randomised
- controlled (sham comparison)
- masked (to reduce bias)
- meaningful follow‑up (months/years, not weeks)
- peer‑reviewed publication
That’s where Valeda currently stands out most clearly.
What is Valeda PBM (and why it’s different)?
Valeda delivers multiwavelength PBM to the retina (commonly described as 590 nm, 660 nm, and 850 nm) in structured treatment cycles.
The best‑known evidence comes from the LIGHTSITE program, including:
- LIGHTSITE I (early prospective sham‑controlled work)
- LIGHTSITE III (large, multicentre, double‑masked randomised controlled trial)
- LIGHTSITE IIIB (extension / longer‑term follow‑up)
Valeda: what the strongest trial shows
In LIGHTSITE III, PBM using Valeda was delivered in repeated cycles (series of treatments every few months) and the study reported a statistically significant difference in best‑corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between PBM and sham groups at key time points, alongside favourable anatomical observations.
Independent commentary from major ophthalmic bodies has also highlighted the significance of these results while noting the importance of longer‑term real‑world data (which is now emerging through extensions and ongoing studies).
Bottom line: Valeda has the most mature clinical evidence for PBM in dry AMD currently available to patients considering this option.
What is Eye‑Light PBM for dry AMD (and where is the evidence at?)
eye‑light® (Espansione Group; Topcon is the UK/ROI distributor) is a platform that uses:
- LM™ LLLT (photobiomodulation / “light modulation”), and
- in the anterior segment, OPE™ IPL for conditions like dry eye/MGD.
For dry AMD, Eye‑Light PBM has been investigated through work including the DRUSEN study, associated with LightWave I, with reported short‑term outcomes (e.g., around 4–6 months) and ongoing trial registration.
The key limitation for patients deciding today
While early results are interesting, the Eye‑Light dry AMD evidence base is:
- earlier stage (short‑term endpoints)
- less widely established in large, long‑duration, independently replicated publications than Valeda’s LIGHTSITE program
That does not mean Eye‑Light PBM “doesn’t work.” It means that—right now—the weight of evidence is not comparable to Valeda for dry AMD decision‑making.
This is why our clinic positions Eye‑Light as an ocular surface device first, and a dry AMD PBM option only when a patient understands the evidence gap and is being treated under a cautious, monitored pathway.
Where Eye‑Light does have evidence: Dry eye and ocular surface disease
This is an important point—and it’s why we still value and use the device.
Dry eye disease (especially MGD‑related dry eye) has an established and expanding evidence base for:
- LLLT / PBM,
- IPL, and
- combined IPL + LLLT pathways in appropriate patients.
Examples of published support include:
- clinical studies using Eye‑Light combined IPL + LLLT showing improvement in dry eye signs/symptoms (study designs vary by paper)
- broader consensus that in‑office device treatments—including low‑level light therapy—are part of modern MGD management (TFOS DEWS III).
And specifically in the UK context, the typical Eye‑Light LLLT mask protocol discussed in optometric professional coverage is four sessions around one week apart, with maintenance depending on severity—supporting the device’s practical role in dry eye clinics.
So our stance is not “Eye‑Light is bad.”
Our stance is: Eye‑Light has a stronger footing in dry eye care than in dry AMD care—based on the current evidence landscape. We are in a unique position as one of the few practices that offer both Valeda PBM and Eye-Light treatment. Eye-Light shouldn’t at this time be offered for treatment of Dry AMD due to the lack of evidence in comparison to Valeda. PBM.
Side‑by‑side: Valeda vs Eye‑Light for dry AMD (patient decision framework)
1) Strength of evidence for dry AMD
- Valeda: large multicentre randomised sham‑controlled trial evidence (LIGHTSITE III), peer‑reviewed publication, and ongoing extensions.
- Eye‑Light: early short‑term outcomes reported and ongoing trial registration (e.g., DRUSEN/LightWave I).
2) Clinical maturity (how “settled” is the pathway?)
- Valeda: more established PBM treatment cycles and monitoring approaches described across trial publications and clinical commentary.
- Eye‑Light: evolving pathway with fewer long‑term, independently replicated datasets in dry AMD.
3) Best use case in our clinic
- Valeda: our recommended PBM option for dry AMD, where appropriate.
- Eye‑Light: our preferred PBM/LLLT device for dry eye and ocular surface disease, often alongside other evidence‑based dry eye interventions.
Peter Ivins Eye Care: Scotland’s first Valeda clinic
We’re proud that Peter Ivins Eye Care became the first practice in Scotland to launch a dedicated Valeda photobiomodulation clinic for dry AMD, and we built a full diagnostic + monitoring pathway around it.
Our clinic pathway includes advanced retinal imaging and monitoring (e.g., OCT, OCT-A, FAF and macular assessments) and structured review before new treatment blocks—so patients aren’t just “treated,” they’re carefully followed over time.
If you’re exploring PBM for dry AMD, that combination—evidence‑led device + robust monitoring—is what we believe delivers the best standard of care.
What patients should ask any clinic offering PBM for dry AMD
Before starting, ask:
- Which device? (Valeda vs others)
- Which studies support it for dry AMD?
- Is the evidence sham‑controlled and peer reviewed?
- What stage of AMD do you treat (early/intermediate vs GA)?
- How will you monitor progression? (OCT, fundus imaging, functional tests)
- What happens if wet AMD develops? (fast referral pathway matters)
FAQ‘s
Is Valeda FDA approved for dry AMD?
Valeda has been authorised/cleared in the US for dry AMD, and published commentary notes this followed LIGHTSITE III results. Eye‑Light is not approved for dry AMD.
Does Eye‑Light have evidence for dry AMD?
Eye‑Light PBM has published short‑term outcomes (e.g., DRUSEN/LightWave I reporting early changes in visual acuity/drusen volume) and registered trials, but the evidence base is less mature than Valeda’s LIGHTSITE program.
Why do you recommend Eye‑Light for dry eye but not dry AMD?
Modern dry eye guidance includes in‑office therapies such as low‑level light therapy and IPL as part of MGD management, and Eye‑Light is designed for anterior segment care using these modalities. In dry AMD, the strongest evidence currently favours Valeda.
What is the treatment schedule for Valeda?
In LIGHTSITE III, treatment was delivered in repeated cycles (series of multiple sessions over several weeks, repeated at intervals). Our clinic follows a structured block‑based plan with monitoring between blocks.
Can PBM cure dry AMD?
PBM is not presented as a cure; clinical trials evaluate whether it can improve visual function and influence anatomical markers in early/intermediate disease. Patients should still address modifiable risks and maintain monitoring.
Is PBM safe?
Both PBM platforms report favourable safety/tolerability in their respective studies and communications, but eligibility and contraindications vary—so assessment is essential.
Conclusion: our clinical position
If you’re choosing between Valeda and Eye‑Light for dry AMD, we believe the most responsible recommendation is to follow the evidence:
- Valeda: stronger clinical evidence for dry AMD (notably the LIGHTSITE program).
- Eye‑Light: valuable technology with supportive evidence for dry eye / ocular surface disease, but currently less established for dry AMD compared with Valeda.
At Peter Ivins Eye Care, we’re proud to be Scotland’s first dedicated Valeda clinic, and we’ve built our service around a simple promise: innovate, but stay evidence‑led.
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