Is PDT Therapy Right for Me?

As you consider your macular degeneration treatment options, it is important that you know what is available. Even if you have dry macular degeneration that is progressing slowly, learn about treatments for wet macular degeneration. Why is that?

Dry macular degeneration can turn very quickly into the wet form and treatment decisions must be made very quickly. By learning about treatment options now, you will be better prepared for the future.

The two most common treatments available for wet age related macular degeneration are:

Anti-VEGF drugs block VEGF - vascular endothelial growth factor.This factor promotes the development of the leaky, immature blood vessels.

So the anti-VEGF inhibits the growth of new blood vessels. They are given by injections directly into the eye.

2. Photodynamic Therapy

In 2000 the FDA approved the drug Visudyne, or verteporfin, to be used with photodynamic therapy. The exciting news about this macular degeneration therapy is that instead of using heat from a hot laser, the light from a cool laser closes off the leaky blood vessels.

Why is this important? This therapy does not leave a person with a black hole resulting from a small burn on the macula as it does with a hot laser.

However, not everyone who has wet macular degeneration is a candidate for this treatment. To learn which patients can benefit from PDT therapy, how it works and possible side effects click here:

Photodynamic Therapy

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Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Better Health for Better Vision