Condition focus: Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), Macular Oedema & Retinal Mitochondrial Support:
Intraocular injections of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors have been shown to improve swelling of central retina (macular oedema) and vision in patients with retinal vein occlusions (RVO), however this treatment comes with potentially sight threatening risks. A less invasive treatment might have many advantages. We recently showed that eyes with macular oedema caused by diabetes, the other main cause of macular oedema, who received treatment with near-infrared (NIR) light was not only safe but was also effective in reducing the swelling.
WaveFront Alignment: Cornish’s NIR data align with the mitochondrial and inflammatory pathways relevant to the Spectral WaveFront’s 670 nm and 810 nm wavelengths. Although dosing parameters and delivery differ, the safety and retinal metabolic rationale are consistent with red/NIR PBM mechanisms involving cytochrome-c-oxidase activation and oxidative-stress modulation.
Original research here
Editor’s note: Cornish 2021 contributes to the emerging evidence that near-infrared PBM may influence macular oedema in retinal vascular disease. For comparison with WaveFront wavelength selection and retinal dose windows, see our WaveFront Evidence Alignment. Additional human functional data with 670 nm PBM are reported in Grewal 2020, while mechanistic support for cytochrome-c-oxidase activation is described in Begum 2013. Dose-response foundations for safe PBM dosing are discussed in Chu-Tan 2016.
