Alcon, a global developer of eye care devices including products for ophthalmic surgery and contact lens solutions, will acquire LumiThera, an ophthalmic medical device company. The deal includes LumiThera’s photobiomodulation (PBM) device, which uses low-level light to stimulate mitochondrial energy production to promote retinal cellular health.

Through this acquisition, Alcon said, it will expand PBM office-based treatment in approved markets — specifically for the treatment of the 200 million people globally who live with dry age-related macular disease (AMD).

In dry AMD, vision loss results from the dysfunction and break down of retinal cells within the macula — the part of the retina that allows for sharpness and fine detail in seeing what’s directly in front of the viewer. In the early stages, central vision becomes distorted and may ultimately progress to a complete loss.

Dry AMD is a progressive disease typically treated in late stage, with limited treatment options. According to LumiThera, PBM is the only device that has demonstrated meaningful visual improvement with two years of treatments in early and intermediate dry AMD patients. PBM is a non-invasive light therapy that can provide visual improvement for patients with early and intermediate disease.

This transaction does not include the acquisition of AdaptDx and Nova/Diopsys diagnostic devices, which will be separated and spun off to LumiThera’s shareholders before Alcon’s acquisition and will continue to be marketed and sold by the LumiThera spin-off. Alcon and LumiThera anticipate the acquisition to be completed in the third quarter.