Caplan Eye Clinic:
Pioneers In Light Therapy For Macular Degeneration
Valeda Light Therapy
Caplan Eye Clinic began using Valeda Light Therapy in 2022 as part of an FDA-Approved Clinical Trial Study with Dr. Daniel Caplan as the Principal Investigator. Henry Shane (name & photo used with permission) was treated with Valeda Light Tharapy for 2 years before the FDA approved Valeda Light Therapy in the U.S.
Valeda was created by LumiThera Inc of Washington State. Its founding President and CEO, Dr. Clark Tedford, and Senior Vice-President, Cindy Croissant MBA, visited Caplan Eye Clinic in early 2023 to meet with Dr. Daniel Caplan, Dr. Chad Caplan and patient Henry Shane.
The founding CEO and President of LumiThera Inc, Dr. Clark Tedford, and Senior Vice-President, Cindy Croissant MBA, flew to New Orleans later in 2023 to join Dr. Daniel Caplan in a meeting with Majority Leader Congressman Steve Scalise at his New Orleans area office. Mr. Henry Shane And his daughter Stacy Shane Schott graciously arranged the meeting and joined in discussing the positive impact of Valeda Light Therapy on Macular Degeneration patients.
In 2023, Dr. Daniel Caplan traveled to London to visit The Retina Clinic London, one of the most prestigious retina practices in Europe. Professor Paulo Eduardo Stanga, founder of The Retina Clinic London, is one of the UK’s leading experts in Valeda Light Therapy for macular degeneration. Dr. Caplan and Professor Stanga discussed various treatments and protocols involving Valeda Light Therapy for Macular Degeneration.
In October 2024, Dr Clark Tedford, President & CEO of LumiThera Inc and Senior Vice President Cindy Croissant again visited Caplan Eye Clinic to discuss updates on Valeda Light Therapy. Hosted also by Henry & Pat Shane.
In November 2024, FDA officially cleared the Valeda Light Therapy system for the treatment of early and intermediate dry Macular Degeneration. A few weeks later, Caplan Eye Clinic received the 1st Valeda Light Therapy device in the U.S. following FDA clearance. Senior Valeda Technician, Kerry G., flew to Metairie to set up the equipment. Kerry also provided training to the Caplan Eye Clinic staff.
In early December 2024, Caplan Eye Clinic became the 1st eye practice in North America to treat patients with Valeda.
Dr. Chad Caplan was the 1st physician in the U.S. to use the Valeda Light Therapy. He treated Ms. Dale Williams of New Orleans (name & photo used with patient consent), who became the 1st patient in the U.S. to undergo Valeda Light Therapy for Macular Degeneration following FDA approval.
Dr. Daniel Caplan & Dr. Brendon Sumich were the 2nd & 3rd physicians in the U.S. to use Valeda Light Therapy following FDA approval.
LumiThera Inc initiated their Valeda Locator for North America on their website in December 2024. Caplan Eye Clinic was the first and only “pin” location of Valeda in North America.
In April 2025, Dr Clark Tedford (President & CEO of Valeda creator LumiThera Inc) and Senior Vice President Cindy Croissant visited Caplan Eye Clinic for a Celebration of Valeda Light Therapy approval by the FDA. Attending the celebration were Dr. Daniel Caplan, Dr. Sumich. Dr. Chad Caplan, Henry & Pat Shane, and LumiThera Valeda Senior Tech, Kerry G.
During 2025 and 2026, hundreds of Valeda Light Therapy procedures were performed at Caplan Eye Clinic’s facilities in the New Orleans suburbs of Metairie and Mandeville on patients with dry Macular Degeneration.
Valeda Light Therapy is still the only device approved by the FDA for the treatment of early & intermediate dry Macular Degeneration.
Caplan Eye Clinic is among the most highly experienced eye centers for Valeda Light Therapy for Macula Degeneration.