Caplan Eye Clinic:
Pioneers in Valeda Light Therapy For Macular Degeneration
Caplan Eye Clinic is among the world’s most experienced eye centers offering Valeda Light Therapy for Macula Degeneration.
Daniel I. Caplan MD, Principal Investigator of an FDA-Approved Clinical Trial Study, began treating Mr. Henry Shane in 2022 with Valeda Light Therapy approximately 2 years prior to the FDA clearance for commercial use (patient name & photo used with permission) in the United States.
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 and it’s founder, Professor Eduardo Stanga, one of Europe’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 with Dr. Daniel Caplan and Dr. Chad Caplan. 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, on December 2 2024, 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.
On December 4 2024, Dr. Chad Caplan of Caplan Eye Clinic became the 1st person in North America to treat a patient with Valeda Light Therapy, following FDA Clearance.
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 Clearance.
Letter from the President and CEO of LumiThera Inc certifying Dr. Chad Caplan as the 1st person in the United States to treat patients with Valeda Light Therapy following FDA authorization.
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.
Valeda Corporate Executives travel again to New Orleans to celebrate with Caplan Eye Clinic the FDA Clearance of Valeda:
In April 2025, Dr Clark Tedford (President & CEO of the Valeda company, 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, thousands of Valeda Light Therapy procedures for Macular Degeneration were performed on patients in Caplan Eye Clinic’s facilities in the New Orleans suburbs of Metairie and Mandeville.
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 world’s most experienced eye centers offering Valeda Light Therapy for Macula Degeneration.