Photobiomodulation (PBM), previously referred to as low-level light therapy, has a 50-year history in medical research and has been investigated for treating a host of medical conditions. It is theorized that photons enter tissue and interact with enzyme cytochrome c oxidase located within mitochondria. Through an undefined mechanism, this is believed to increase cellular metabolism. In the body, this may increase wound healing or decrease pain. In the eye, increased cellular metabolism within photoreceptors or the RPE may have beneficial effects in AMD. This has been studied in preclinical and human studies with mixed results. Ultimately, randomized clinical trials with clear primary and secondary outcomes are required to demonstrate the true clinical impact of PBM in AMD.
LumiThera Inc. has been a recent driver of this technology and has established randomized clinical trials to assess the value of this technology in patients with intermediate AMD. Recently, 24-month data from the LIGHTSITE III study were released. To better understand the results, we have asked Drs. Matthew Russell and Rishi Singh of the Cleveland Clinic to share their insights and have asked Clark Tedford, PhD, of LumiThera, to respond.
