|
Visudyne therapy is based on a technology called photodynamic therapy. Also known as PDT, photodynamic therapy uses different kinds of light-activated drugs to treat a wide range of medical conditions.
How Visudyne therapy, a form of photodynamic therapy, works
First, Visudyne is injected into the bloodstream, usually through a vein in the patient's arm. The drug is quickly absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye that cause sight loss in the "wet" form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Second—a short time after the drug has been given—a cold laser is shone into the affected area of the eye for exactly 83 seconds. This activates the drug and produces a reaction that destroys the abnormal blood vessels.
Visudyne is a multi-course therapy
Visudyne therapy is typically given about every 3 months and as many times as needed to prevent regrowth of the abnormal vessels. For most people, this involves 6 to 7 treatments over 2 to 3 years. The treatments are typically performed in a doctor's office on an outpatient basis.
Visudyne mySight™ program
To learn more about Visudyne therapy and AMD, join mySight, a FREE information-and-support program just for Visudyne patients and their loved ones, click here.
Continue
Related pages on this site:
About Visudyne
Practices Offering Visudyne Therapy
|
