Systems and methods for maintaining the illumination intensity of one or more LEDs above a minimal intensity level. The systems and methods may include: (1) a current regulator for regulating the current in a circuit; (2) a voltage source for applying current to a circuit; (3) an LED with a minimal intensity level that correlates to a set-point temperature; and (4) a thermal sensor that is in proximity to the LED and adapted to sense a temperature proximal to the LED. The thermal sensor may transmit a signal to the current regulator if the sensed temperature exceeds the set-point temperature. Thereafter, the current regulator may take steps to regulate the current in order to maintain the LED illumination intensity above the minimal intensity level.