LAUSR

PURPOSE To evaluate visual acuity and morphologic changes after photobiomodulation (PBM) for patients affected with large soft drusen and/or drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment (dPED) associated to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHOD Twenty eyes with large soft drusen and/or dPED AMD were included and treated with the LumiThera® ValedaTM Light Delivery System. All subjects underwent 2 treatments per week for 5 weeks. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microperimetry- scotopic testing, drusen volume (DV), central drusen thickness (CDT), quality of life (QoL) score at baseline and month 6 (M6) follow up. Data of BCVA, DV and CDT was also recorded at week 5 (W5). RESULTS BCVA significantly improved at M6 with a mean score gain of 5.5 letters (p = 0.007). Retinal sensitivity (RS) decreased by 0.1 dB (p=0.17). Mean fixation stability increased by 0.45 % (P=0.72). DV decreased by 0.11 mm3 (p=0.03). CDT was reduced by a mean of 17.05 µm (p=0.01). GA area increased by 0.06 mm2 (p=0.01) over a 6 months follow up, quality of life score increased by 3,07 points on average (p=0.05). One patient presented a dPED rupture at M6 after PBM treatment. CONCLUSION The visual and anatomical improvements in our patients support previous reports on PBM. PBM may provide a valid therapeutic option for large soft drusen and dPED AMD and may potentially slow the natural course of the disease.