The
abnormal blood vessels in the wet form of macular degeneration are
traditionally treated with laser.
The thermal energy of the laser destroys both the blood vessels
as well as the surrounding tissue (retina).
Unfortunately, the majority of patients with wet macular degeneration
have abnormal blood vessels located beneath the center of vision.
Thus, laser treatment will destroy the center of vision- the
very thing we want to protect. Photodynamic therapy could allow selective destruction of abnormal
blood vessels without damage to surrounding tissues. The PDT dye is
selectively absorbed by the abnormally proliferating blood vessels.
When exposed to low levels of light ("non-thermal") the
dye is activated and the abnormal blood vessels are selectively destroyed.
PDT therapy is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
Two drugs are being evaluated:
verteporfin (Vysudine) from CIBA vision and tin ethyl etiopurpurin
(SnET2) from Miravant. Initial
results are promising and have shown at least temporary recovery or
preservation of vision in some patients.
FDA approval of the PDT trials await completion of these studies
to assess the overall safety and efficacy of these new agents. |
Laser
Treatments
Fluorescein
Angiography
ICG
Angiography
Photodynamic
Therapy (PDT)
Pharmacologic
Therapies
Macular
Translocation Surgery
Submacular
Surgery
Retinal
Transplantation
Radiation
Therapy
Genetics
Nutrition
Other
Treatments
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