Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains one of the treatment options for exudative “wet” age related macular degeneration and has expanding applications for other retinal diseases, including central serous retinopathy.

Photodynamic therapy is a two step process. In the first step, a patient receives an injection of a special dye called Visudyne® (verteporfin) through a vein in the hand or arm. Visudyne® circulates through the body and sticks to the walls of the abnormal blood vessels in the diseased area. During the second step of the procedure, a laser is used to shine a light into the back of the eye. This “cold” laser has very low power and simply activates the Visudyne® medicine, which has concentrated in the diseased tissue. This leads to closure of the abnormal blood vessel and stops the fluid and blood from leaking beneath the retina.

After receiving photodynamic therapy with Visudyne®, the dye remains within the body for a few days. As a result, patients are required to avoid exposure to sunlight and intense halogen lights for a period of 3 days until the drug has completely cleared out of the body.