Low-level laser therapy improves vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Jun;26(3):241-5. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2132.
Ivandic BT1, Ivandic T.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study of a case series was to examine the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
BACKGROUND DATA: AMD affects a large proportion of the elderly population; current therapeutic options for AMD are limited, however.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
In total, 203 patients (90 men and 113 women; mean age 63.4 +/- 5.3 y) with beginning ("dry") or advanced ("wet") forms of AMD (n = 348 eyes) were included in the study. One hundred ninety-three patients (mean age 64.6 +/- 4.3 y; n = 328 eyes) with cataracts (n = 182 eyes) or without cataracts (n = 146 eyes) were treated using LLLT four times (twice per week). A semiconductor laser diode (780 nm, 7.5 mW, 292 Hz, continuous emission) was used for transconjunctival irradiation of the macula for 40 sec (0.3 J/cm2) resulting in a total dose of 1.2 J/cm2. Ten patients (n = 20 eyes) with AMD received mock treatment and served as controls. Visual acuity was measured at each visit. Data were analyzed retrospectively using a t-test.
RESULTS:
LLLT significantly improved visual acuity (p < 0.00001 versus baseline) in 162/182 (95%) of eyes with cataracts and 142/146 (97%) of eyes without cataracts. The prevalence of metamorphopsia, scotoma, and dyschromatopsia was reduced. In patients with wet AMD, edema and bleeding improved. The improved vision was maintained for 3-36 mo after treatment. Visual acuity in the control group remained unchanged. No adverse effects were observed in those undergoing therapy.
CONCLUSION:
In patients with AMD, LLLT significantly improved visual acuity without adverse side effects and may thus help to prevent loss of vision.
- Low Level Laser Therapy greatly increased Vitamin D and Magnesium (for diabetics with nephropathy) – March 2019 Includes background of the founder of Vitamin D Life with LLLT,
- Off topic: Low Level Laser Therapy works - makes Nitric Oxide and ATP
- Knee osteoarthritis helped by Low Level Laser Therapy
This study was cited by 57 publications as of April 2019
Many studies on the web have found LLLT or Infrared light improved AMD vision
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Clipped from the discussion section
LLLT may increase cellular metabolism in choroidea, RPE, and in photoreceptors, where the energy is absorbed by pigments. Regular metabolic processes may be enhanced and repair processes may be triggered or accelerated. Recently, an increase in the expression of heat shock proteins was found in the retinal and choroidal layers after sub-thermal transpupillary application of laser energy.Heat shock proteins (or chaperones) are known to stimulate cellular metabolism and may help prevent premature cell death.
Some Heat Shock Protein studies in Vitamin D Life
- Off Topic: Heat Shock Proteins (sauna etc) prevent clumping in Alzheimer’s – Oct 2015
- Traumatic brain injury treated by Vitamin D Progesterone Omega-3 and glutamine – May 2013
- Mentions Heat shock proteins
- LLLT improved hair growth via heat shock proteins - RCT
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Heat Shock Proteins - Wikipedia 2019
- "Heat shock proteins (HSP) are a family of proteins that are produced by cells in response to exposure to stressful conditions. They were first described in relation to heat shock, but are now known to also be expressed during other stresses including exposure to cold, UV light,and during wound healing or tissue remodeling"
- "HSPs are found in virtually all living organisms, from bacteria to humans."
AMD vision improved by red LLLT, and vision was even better 5 year later - 2018
- talks about Heat Shock Proteins
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It seems that a good description of "Heat Shock Proteins" would be:
Proteins produced in all animals to repair damage from stresses such as heat and bright light