Condition focus: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) & Macular Health
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, and current treatments largely focus on disease monitoring or managing complications. Photobiomodulation has emerged as a non-invasive approach aimed at supporting retinal metabolism and mitigating oxidative stress. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates multiwavelength PBM protocols in patients with dry AMD and compares clinical outcomes with sham or control treatments. Six studies (360 patients, 477 eyes) investigated PBM for dry AMD, with five eligible for meta-analysis.
Results showed no significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity, macular drusen volume, geographic atrophy progression, central subfield thickness, or microperimetry compared to sham treatment. Interestingly, sham-treated eyes reported more adverse events at ≤6 months, while the overall PBM safety profile remained favorable. Qualitative synthesis suggested that PBM may support quality-of-life measures and functional outcomes in some studies, even when meta-analytic group differences were not significant.
WaveFront Alignment:
This meta-analysis reinforces the rationale for mitochondria-targeted, non-thermal light delivery in AMD. The Spectral WaveFront uses 670 nm and 810 nm wavelengths within fluence ranges designed to support oxidative balance and retinal metabolic resilience—mechanisms reflected in the multiwavelength PBM protocols reviewed by Jackson et al.
Link to original research here
Editor’s note: This review synthesizes multiwavelength PBM findings in dry AMD and helps contextualize individual clinical and mechanistic reports across the literature. Foundational mitochondrial and anti-oxidative mechanisms relevant to AMD are demonstrated in Begum 2013. Early human functional improvement with 670 nm PBM is shown in Grewal 2020, and multi-wavelength clinical benefit in AMD is explored in Merry 2017. For broader translational context, see Valter 2024. For wavelength and energy alignment with the Spectral WaveFront’s 670 nm and 810 nm parameters, see our WaveFront Evidence Alignment.
Related Articles
- Photobiomodulation Reduces Drusen Volume in Dry AMD – Merry 2017
- Evaluating the Effects of 670 nm PBM in Healthy Aging and AMD – Grewal 2020
- 670nm PBM Reduces Inflammation and Upregulates Cytochrome c Oxidase – Begum 2013
- PBM Use in Ophthalmology: An Overview of Translational Research – Valter 2024
- Photobiomodulation: Innovation on the Horizon for Dry AMD – Rosen 2024
Key Takeaways
- Meta-analysis of 6 studies (360 patients) found no significant BCVA or structural changes with multiwavelength PBM vs. sham
- PBM demonstrated a favorable safety profile with fewer adverse events than sham treatment at ≤6 months
- Qualitative findings suggest potential benefits in quality-of-life and functional outcomes not captured by standard metrics
- The review supports continued investigation of PBM protocols, dosing parameters, and patient selection criteria in AMD
Study Overview
| Study Type: | Systematic review and meta-analysis |
| Wavelength(s): | Multiwavelength protocols (varied across studies) |
| Treatment Protocol: | Varied across included trials |
| Sample Size: | 360 patients, 477 eyes across 6 studies |
| Primary Outcome: | No significant BCVA or structural improvements; favorable safety profile |
Full Citation
Jackson TL, Nguyen D, Rosenthal JM, et al. (2023). Is multiwavelength photobiomodulation effective and safe for age-related macular degeneration? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Ophthalmologica. View Publication
