Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
PDT is used to treat patients suffering from wet AMD. It targets the abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina, known as choroidal neovascularization (NCV), that is responsible for vision loss. PDT is not an effective treatment for dry AMD.
PDT may preserve and, in some cases, improve your vision. The treatment is usually repeated in intervals of a few months.
How the treatment works
A light activated drug, Visudyne® is injected in the patients arm. The drug attaches itself to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) as it circulates through the body. Abnormal blood vessels attract the LDL/Visudyne complex. When the drug has accumulated in the abnormal vessels under the retina, a low-intensity laser is directed into the back of the eye, activating the Visudyne. The drug closes or destroys the abnormal vessels while leaving the normal vessels uneffected.
Side effects
You will be very sensitive to light after having this treatment. When you leave the office you must wear dark sunglass and cover all parts of your skin. We recommend long pants, a long shirt or coat, gloves, and a hat. You should avoid sunlight, lighting used in medical offices (dentists' or surgical lights), tanning salons, halogen lighting in homes (halogen reading lamps), undraped windows, skylights, etc. Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight for five days. If you have to go outside take care that you cover all of your skin and wear dark sunglasses. UV protectant sunglasses are ineffective against Visudyne.
You should expose your skin to normal indoor lighting. This helps to naturally remove the drug from your skin.
After five days you may resume normal outdoor activities without any special precautions