INTRODUCTION: This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the complications and effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy with sham treatment in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, with current treatments primarily focusing on symptom management. PBM therapy is emerging as a potential intervention to improve clinical and anatomical outcomes in patients with AMD, necessitating a comparative analysis with sham treatment to determine its efficacy and safety. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library from inception to January 13, 2025. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) meeting predefined inclusion criteria were selected. Meta-analysis employed random-effects models. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Cochrane tools. RESULTS: A total of six studies, comprising 360 patients and 477 eyes, focused on PBM for dry AMD. Five studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed no significant improvement with PBM (SMD - 0.30, 95% CI - 0.85 to 0.26, p = 0.30), with high heterogeneity (I CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that, to date, there are no significant clinical benefits of PBM therapy for patients with AMD. Further long-term studies are needed to establish its clinical relevance and safety profile.