When patients are diagnosed with dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), one of their first questions is often, "What is being done to cure this?" The good news is that the landscape of ophthalmic research has never been more active. Scientists and clinicians worldwide are exploring groundbreaking investigational therapies designed not just to slow the disease, but potentially to halt or reverse it.
While some of these future modalities are still years away from routine clinical use, others—like advanced Photobiomodulation (PBM)—are currently being refined through rigorous international trials right here in the UK.
The Investigational Frontier: Gene and Stem Cell Therapies For late-stage dry AMD, also known as geographic atrophy, much of the global research focus is currently dedicated to regenerative medicine and genetic modification.
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Stem Cell Therapy: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a layer of cells that nourishes and supports the retina. In dry AMD, these cells gradually break down and die. Stem cell therapy aims to replace these damaged RPE cells with healthy, lab-grown cells. Currently, researchers in both the UK and the USA are conducting clinical trials to determine if implanting these cells can safely maintain or even restore lost vision.
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Gene Therapy: Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of macular degeneration. Advanced gene therapy trials are currently investigating the use of harmless viral vectors to deliver corrective genetic material directly to the eye. By altering how the eye's immune system (specifically the complement cascade) responds to cellular waste, these therapies aim to permanently reduce the inflammation that drives the progression of dry AMD.
While incredibly promising, both stem cell and gene therapies remain strictly in the clinical trial phase. They require complex surgical delivery methods and are not yet approved or available for standard patient care.
Leading from the Front: The DRUSEN Clinical Trial At the Dry AMD Clinic, we don't just follow the research—we actively participate in it.
The most promising non-invasive treatment available today is Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. To further understand and optimise this treatment, our clinical director, Sarah Farrant, is currently serving as a principal investigator in a major international clinical trial.
The DRUSEN Study (Outcomes of Photobiomodulation in Dry Age Related macular Degeneration: a prospective multicenter randomised Controlled Study) is a rigorous, multicentre trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06046118). Conducted across five leading European research centres—including our facility in Taunton, alongside universities in Paris, Ferrara, Naples, Torino, and Ankara—the trial evaluates the specific effects of consecutive yellow and red light-emitting diode therapy on patients with dry AMD.
The trial utilises a specific protocol: a first phase of continuous and pulsed yellow light (to reduce inflammation and clear waste), followed by a second phase of continuous and pulsed red light (to boost mitochondrial energy production).
Our team's involvement in these high-level studies has already yielded published, peer-reviewed results. Recent data published from this international collaboration assessing the EYE-LIGHT® PBM device demonstrated that the therapy is safe, highly tolerated, and yields encouraging short-term anatomical and functional improvements for patients with intermediate dry AMD.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Care The involvement of our clinical team in trials like the DRUSEN study means that the care you receive at the Dry AMD Clinic is always informed by the absolute forefront of ophthalmic science.
While we all look forward to the day when stem cell and gene therapies become a routine reality, you do not have to wait years to take action. Through evidence-based PBM therapy, we offer a safe, non-invasive, and clinically validated method to actively manage your dry AMD and protect your vision today.