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For a long time, the standard advice for those with dry macular degeneration was simple but limited: take your AREDS2 vitamins, watch for changes in your vision, and come back for regular checkups. Now there is something more we can offer.
Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho is proud to offer Valeda Light Therapy to patients in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Pocatello, and surrounding areas. Valeda is the first FDA-authorized treatment shown to support vision in people living with dry AMD, represents the biggest step forward in dry AMD care in decades.
Valeda is a painless, in-office light therapy designed for patients with intermediate dry macular degeneration.
It uses gentle wavelengths of light to support the health of the cells in your retina, the part of your eye responsible for clear, central vision. There are no needles, no surgery, and no recovery time. You sit comfortably in front of the device while gentle light is delivered to your eyes. The whole process is painless, and no dilation is required.
Valeda was developed by LumiThera and received FDA authorization after years of clinical study. It is the first treatment of its kind for dry AMD, and we are excited to offer it right here in Eastern Idaho.
The goal of Valeda is to help you keep the vision you have, and in many cases, to actually improve it
In a clinical trial, patients who received Valeda showed real gains:
For everyday life, those numbers make a difference.
The cells in your retina rely on mitochondria to do their work. As we age and dry AMD develops, those power plants slow down, waste builds up, and vision gradually changes. Valeda uses specific wavelengths of yellow, red, and near-infrared light to recharge those cells, reduce inflammation, and help the eye clear out waste more efficiently. The clinical name for this process is photobiomodulation. This is the same biology that has been studied for years in wound healing and nerve repair. Valeda simply applies it to the eye in a focused, FDA-authorized way.
Treatment is delivered in cycles. In the clinical trial, patients completed 9 sessions, took a 90-day break with no treatment, and then began the next cycle, repeating that pattern indefinitely. We follow the same approach in our practice.
To get the best results and maintain the benefits over time, most patients complete 3 full cycles per year, with that 90-day pause between each cycle.
Consistency is important, because benefits can wane if treatment is stopped. Between cycles, you'll come in for an exam so our team can check your progress and confirm that you still qualify to continue with the next round of treatment.
Valeda is currently approved for patients with dry AMD who still have fairly good central vision, generally in the intermediate stages of the disease. Patients with very advanced atrophy may see limited benefit, because light therapy cannot bring back vision that has already been lost.
A few patients are not good candidates for Valeda. Valeda is not approved for patients with wet macular degeneration, which involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina and is treated with different therapies, such as intravitreal injections. If you have wet AMD, you will not qualify for Valeda. People with a history of light-sensitive conditions such as epilepsy or migraines, or those currently taking photosensitizing medications, should let us know before scheduling treatment so we can confirm whether Valeda is safe for them.
The best way to know if Valeda is right for you is to come in for an evaluation. Our fellowship-trained retina specialists will perform a comprehensive eye exam with dilation and imaging, review your visual history, and discuss whether you are a good candidate.
Because Valeda is a newer therapy, most insurance carriers have not yet built coverage policies for it. Right now, we are able to bill Medicare Part B for eligible patients. Medicare Advantage plans and commercial insurances are not yet covering Valeda, though we are actively working to expand that as carriers update their policies.
In the meantime, we have built three transparent self-pay options to fit different goals and budgets:
9 sessions at $140 per eye, per session.
Total cost: $1,260, a savings of $540.
3 full cycles totaling 27 sessions at $130 per eye, per session.
Total cost: $3,510 ($1,170 per cycle), a savings of $1,080.
6 full cycles totaling 54 sessions at $120 per eye, per session.
Total cost: $6,480, a savings of $1,620.
Does Valeda cure macular degeneration? No. There is currently no cure for dry AMD. Valeda is designed to support retinal health, slow disease progression, and in many cases improve vision, but it does not reverse the underlying condition.
Will the treatment hurt? Not at all. Valeda is painless. You sit comfortably while the light is delivered through your closed eyelids.
How long before I see results? Many patients notice changes after completing their first full cycle, though responses vary from person to person. Long-term benefits build with consistent treatment over time.
How often do I need to come back? Most patients return every four to six months for an additional cycle to maintain results, similar to how we manage other chronic eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
Is Valeda safe? Yes. Clinical trials reported no significant side effects, and the treatment has been used safely in Europe for years before its U.S. authorization.
If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD and want to know whether Valeda could help, the next step is a conversation with a retina specialist. Schedule an appointment at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, ID today.
Located South of EIRMC and Sunnyside Rd in Idaho Falls
Off the northwest side of the New Day Parkway/Northgate exit of I-15.
Right off of Main Street West of HWY-20 across from Valley Wide Country Store & Blister's BBQ.
