Laser Treatment Breakthrough Offers Hope for Halting Dry Macular Degeneration
Aalto University researchers have developed a revolutionary laser-based treatment that uses gentle heat to stop the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration. This innovative approach stimulates the eye's natural cleanup and repair mechanisms, potentially preventing vision loss in millions affected by this common eye condition. The treatment activates cellular defense systems through controlled warming, triggering processes that remove damaging protein deposits. With promising results from animal studies and human clinical trials scheduled for 2026, this breakthrough could become available in eye clinics within three years.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately one in three people over 80 and represents one of the most common causes of vision impairment among older adults. The dry form of AMD, which accounts for the vast majority of cases, develops gradually and currently has no effective treatment. However, researchers at Aalto University have developed a promising new laser-based approach that could change this reality.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
The innovative treatment focuses on reinforcing the natural defense systems of retinal cells by applying controlled heat. According to Professor Ari Koskelainen from Aalto University, cellular functionality and protective mechanisms weaken with age, exposing the fundus (the inside surface at the back of the eye) to intense oxidative stress. This leads to free oxygen radicals damaging proteins, causing them to misfold and aggregate, eventually forming fatty protein deposits called drusen – the main diagnostic criterion for dry AMD.
How the Laser Treatment Works
The treatment involves carefully warming the affected tissue by several degrees using near infrared light. This represents a significant technical achievement because measuring temperature behind the retina has traditionally been challenging. The Aalto team developed a method that allows real-time temperature monitoring while heating the area, enabling safe, precise control while activating the eye's natural healing responses at a cellular level.
Activating Natural Repair Mechanisms
When proteins inside the eye misfold due to oxidative stress, cells can respond through several natural mechanisms. The laser treatment activates heat shock proteins, which are produced in response to stress and help refold damaged proteins into their original structure. If this process fails, the faulty proteins are targeted for breakdown into amino acids for recycling. For existing protein build-up, the treatment also stimulates autophagy – a cellular waste disposal process discovered by Nobel laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi in 2016.
Clinical Progress and Future Outlook
The new technique has already produced positive results in animal studies involving mice and pigs. Human clinical trials are scheduled to begin in Finland in spring 2026, with the first phase focusing on confirming treatment safety before determining optimal treatment frequency. According to Professor Koskelainen, the treatment needs to be repetitive since the cellular response can begin to decline days after treatment. The research team has launched a spin-off company, Maculaser, to help bring the therapy to clinical use, with optimistic projections suggesting the method could be available in hospital eye clinics within three years.
