Southwest Eyecare Introduces Valeda Light Delivery System for Dry AMD in Albuquerque

For many patients living with dry age-related macular degeneration, clinical management has historically centered on watching for disease progression

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Southwest Eyecare has officially integrated the Valeda Light Delivery System into its clinical offerings at its primary facility located at 7110 Wyoming Boulevard NE. Valeda is the first and only FDA-authorized medical device utilizing multiwavelength photobiomodulation to treat vision loss in qualifying adults with early-to-intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Expanding access to this noninvasive treatment modality in New Mexico addresses an eye condition historically managed primarily through nutritional supplements and lifestyle monitoring.

The Valeda system is a non-invasive, benchtop therapeutic device that applies three specific wavelengths of noncoherent light to stimulate mitochondrial function and cellular energy production in damaged retinal tissue. The fully noninvasive treatment requires no injections, anesthesia, or pupil dilation. The standard protocol involves nine brief outpatient sessions administered over three to five weeks, with maintenance cycles evaluated every four to six months depending on the patient’s specific condition and physician recommendations.

“For many patients living with dry age-related macular degeneration, clinical management has historically centered on watching for disease progression,” said a representative at Southwest Eyecare. “Integrating the Valeda Light Delivery System allows our team to offer an active, noninvasive intervention specifically intended to help qualifying patients improve or maintain their functional vision.”

Valeda is intended for adults diagnosed with early or intermediate dry AMD. It is not indicated for patients with wet macular degeneration or center-involving geographic atrophy. A comprehensive baseline eye examination is required to determine clinical appropriateness. During the LIGHTSITE clinical trials, 84% of treated patients maintained or improved their visual acuity at approximately two years compared with their baseline vision. Furthermore, more than 60% of treated patients achieved an improvement of at least one line on a standard eye chart at two years, and clinical findings demonstrated a decreased incidence of new-onset geographic atrophy compared with a sham control group. The trial materials reported no phototoxicity or serious treatment-related ocular pain events. Originally developed by LumiThera and acquired by Alcon, the system received FDA De Novo marketing authorization in November 2024.

The introduction of Valeda complements Southwest Eyecare’s broader medical eye care offerings, which include care for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, corneal conditions, dry eye, and routine examinations. Individuals diagnosed with dry AMD, or those experiencing new visual distortion, central blind spots, or difficulty reading fine print, are encouraged to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. For more information or to request an appointment, patients can call (505) 346-0500 or visit https://www.southwesteyecare.com

About Southwest Eyecare Southwest Eyecare is a comprehensive medical, surgical, and refractive eye care practice serving Albuquerque and communities across New Mexico. The practice is dedicated to utilizing advanced technology to accurately diagnose and treat routine and medical eye conditions.

Jonelle Gutierrez
Southwest Eyecare
+1 505-241-5473
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