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Retinal Physician

Article | 2025 American Society of Retina Specialists Annual Meeting

LIGHTSITE IIIB Extends PBM Evidence in Dry AMD

Findings from the multisite trial of photobiomodulation suggest visual gains can persist after reinitiation of therapy.

By: Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor
Retinal Physician July 31, 2025 Vol 22, Issue July/August 2025

Clinical Scorecard: LIGHTSITE IIIB Extends PBM Evidence in Dry AMD

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionIntermediate Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Key MechanismsPhotobiomodulation (PBM) stimulates mitochondrial activity and reduces oxidative stress in retinal tissue.
Target PopulationPatients with intermediate dry AMD, moderate to high risk for progression.
Care SettingMultisite clinical trial setting.

Key Highlights

  • PBM treatment can restore and sustain visual gains after a treatment gap.
  • Patients resuming PBM regained approximately 5 letters of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
  • Statistically significant gains in BCVA observed at 24 months compared to sham treatment.
  • More than 65% of PBM-treated eyes showed greater than 1-line BCVA improvement.
  • Baseline disease severity, particularly geographic atrophy, impacts treatment outcomes.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Use established disease scoring systems such as Klein and Ferris models.

Management

  • Consider PBM for patients with intermediate AMD without central geographic atrophy.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Monitor visual acuity and disease progression, especially in patients with geographic atrophy.

Risks

  • Monitor for conversion to neovascular AMD, particularly in high-risk patients.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with intermediate dry AMD, including those with hypertension and a family history of AMD.

PBM is more effective in patients with lower baseline BCVA (70 letters or less).

Clinical Best Practices

  • Initiate PBM early in the disease course for optimal visual outcomes.
  • Assess and document baseline disease severity before treatment.
  • Evaluate patient response to PBM and adjust treatment as necessary.

References