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"Wet" Macular Degeneration Treatment Photo-Dynamic Therapy (with Visudyne) Photo-Dynamic Therapy (with Visudyne) (PDT) is an extremely beneficial therapy for "wet" macular degeneration that destroys the abnormal blood vessels without causing thermal (heat) damage to the overlying sensory retina. It uses a combination of a photoactive drug (a light-activated drug) and light from a non-thermal laser (a laser that does not burn the retina). Unlike other macular degeneration treatments, Visudyne therapy may work toward stabilizing vision. In other words, this treatment may confine and inhibit the progression of "wet" macular degeneration, and thereby preserve patients' vision. When Visudyne therapy is given, a light-activated drug called Visudyne is injected into your arm. The drug then travels through the bloodstream and collects in the abnormal vessels that have developed in the retina. After enough drug has collected in these vessels, a "cold" laser is shone onto the back of the eye to activate it. Once activated, Visudyne begins a chemical process that causes the abnormal blood vessels to close. The process works without causing heat that may damage the healthy retinal nearby. What to expect during PDT
What to expect after PDT After Visudyne therapy, leakage may eventually come back because the abnormal blood vessels are aggressive and tend to re-grow. For this reason, a full course of Visudyne therapy may continue over several visits. Typically, it's given every three months if leakage can be seen on the fluorescein angiogram. In clinical studies, patients averaged between 3 and 4 treatments in the first year, 2 in the second, and 1 in the third year. Also, Visudyne therapy causes your skin and eyes to become sensitive to bright light and directly sunlight for 5 days. During this time, you should wear a wristband to remind yourself and others that you need to avoid the following:
If you must go out in daylight during the first 5 days after therapy, be sure to wear:
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