PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment for patients with dry age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsAssessments on 42 eyes with dry AMD (age related eye disease study (AREDS) 2–4) were conducted. Multiwavelength light emitting diode (LED) light comprising of yellow (590 nm), red (670 nm) and near‐infrared (790 nm) bandwidths was applied to subjects’ eyes for a treatment course of 3 weeks. Outcome measures were changes in best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), drusen volume and central drusen thickness.ResultsSignificant improvement in mean BCVA of 5.90 letters (p < 0.001) was seen on completion of the 3‐week treatment and 5.14 letters (p < 0.001) after 3 months. Contrast sensitivity improved significantly (log unit improvement of 0.11 (p = 0.02) at 3 weeks and 3 months (log unit improvement of 0.16 (p = 0.02) at three cycles per degree. Drusen volume decreased by 0.024 mm3 (p < 0.001) and central drusen thickness was significantly reduced by a mean of 3.78 μm (p < 0.001), while overall central retinal thickness and retinal volume remained stable.ConclusionThis is the first study demonstrating improvements in functional and anatomical outcomes in dry AMD subjects with PBM therapy. These findings corroborate an earlier pilot study that looked at functional outcome measures. The addition of anatomical evidence contributes to the basis for further development of a non‐invasive PBM treatment for dry AMD.

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Background and Purpose: Fibromyalgia is a complex long-term condition characterized by widespread chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. Between 2.9% and 7% of the UK population may be affected. Hydrotherapy (therapeutic aquatic exercise) is frequently used in the management of fibromyalgia, and most research to date has compared hydrotherapy with a comparator or control group in controlled studies. No study has evaluated the role of hydrotherapy from the patient's perspective. The main purpose of the present study was to explore and examine the experiences and views of patients on hydrotherapy in the treatment and management of fibromyalgia. Methods: An online UK-wide survey was conducted with closed- and open-text answers using a convenience sample of participants with fibromyalgia with experience of hydrotherapy. Results: In total, 37 participants aged 25 to 79 years (M = 49.2 years) completed the survey; 34 (92%) participants were female, 3 (8%) were male, and 33 (89%) were of White ethnicity. Thirty-one (84%) participants reported hydrotherapy to be beneficial in their management, but 28 (76%) identified barriers to accessing suitable hydrotherapy facilities. Twenty-six (70%) respondents reported beneficial effects of hydrotherapy in relation to pain relief, 25 (68%) reported in relation to physical function, 23 (62%) reported in relation to promoting relaxation, and 21 (57%) reported in relation to an improved sense of well-being. Themes arising from free-text responses included beneficial effects for relaxation and sleep, positive attributes of the properties of the water, and patient preferences for hydrotherapy over land-based exercise. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings highlight beneficial effects of hydrotherapy beyond those of pain relief and improved physical function identified by previous studies including relaxation effects and positive effect on sleep, among others. Specific access factors may pose obstacles to continued self-directed hydrotherapy for some individuals.

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