PHOTOBIOMODULATION (630-800 NM) FOR RETINAL DISEASE PERIOR TO CATRACT SURGERY : CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND FUTURE DIRECTION

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of photobiomodulation (PBM) using red to near‐infrared wavelengths (630-800 nm) in patients with retinal diseases (including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and myopia-related retinal changes), and to discuss future prospects of PBM as a non-invasive adjunctive therapy.

Single-centre ophthalmology research unit inCologne-Germany treating retinal disease patients.

A retrospective study with documented retinal disease undergoing PBM. Outcome measures included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), and adverse events.

 A total of 64 patients’ eyes following SNL treatment showed a significant reduction in the area and amount of drusen after 6 months in comparison to the corresponding values in the control group (p< 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in visual acuity change after 6 months in both groups (p 0.59, respectively). Within the 6-month follow-up, the rate of progression in drusen size and number was significantly lower in the SNL group (26%) than in the control group (69%; p< 0.001).

SNL therapy is a novel, promising approach for improving the macular morphology in patients with early and intermediate AMD. Further studies are necessary to reveal the potential to reduce the risk of transformation into advanced or wet AMD and to retain vision.