Visudyne® (Generic name: verteporfin)
Year Approved by the FDA: 2000
Effective for: Wet macular degeneration
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Visudyne® is a widely-used method for the treatment of wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is characterized by neovascularization (the new growth of fragile and abnormal blood vessels).
Neovascularization in macular degeneration patients is classified depending on where new blood vessels form in relation to a part of the eye called the fovea. The fovea is a small region at the center of the macula that is dense in light-sensitive cells, and provides the sharpest vision. PDT has proven to be most effective in treating wet macular degeneration when the abnormal blood vessels and their bleeding are well defined. This is particularly true in patients classified by “subfoveal” neovascularization (growth of abnormal blood vessels under the center the fovea).
There is little evidence for any beneficial effect for the use of PDT as a treatment in patients with “juxtafoveal” or “extrafoveal” neovascularization, two conditions in which the growth of new blood vessels is not directly under the center of the fovea. For these types of neovascularization, thermal photocoagulation may be a better option. This was determined following the results of the Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS), a large scale clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
How it works: The light-sensitive drug, Visudyne®, is injected into a vein in the arm. The drug enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. Ultimately, it is absorbed by tissues that are growing faster than normal, such as the blood vessels growing underneath the macula. A low-intensity laser light is then directed to a broad area of the retina, including the region in which the abnormal vessels are growing. The laser light activates the drug and sets into motion processes that result in the blockage of the abnormal vessels, inhibiting the neovascularization. Because the laser light is low-intensity, it does not damage the retina or other cell layers that overlie the abnormal vessels. The treatment may help to stabilize vision, but it will not restore vision that is lost and is not likely to improve vision.
Most common side effects: Headache, injection site reaction (i.e., oozing or rash), and blurred or reduced vision may occur. Because the drug is activated by light, patients must avoid exposing their eyes or any part of their skin to sunlight or bright indoor light for up to 5 days after treatment.
A thoughtful evaluation must be performed by a physician before taking any medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbs. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any of these medications, vitamins, or herbs. A qualified physician should make an informed decision based on each person's medical history and current prescriptions. The medication summaries provided do not include all of the information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The prescribing physician should be consulted concerning any questions that you have.
The information provided in this section of our website was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye institute (NEI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Library of Medicine, and research scientists specializing in macular degeneration.
Reviewed on 2/14/2008