title: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin: a new treatment in ophthalmology.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is a new treatment modality in ophthalmology that has previously shown its effectiveness in treatment of a variety of neoplastic pathologies. In this therapeutic approach, the photosensitizer verteporfin is activated by non-thermal laser light to obtain closure of neovascular structures. Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that PDT is a safe, selective, and effective treatment for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. No significant damage to the neurosensory retina was found, which explains why PDT does not cause loss of visual acuity and may be used in a larger population than laser photocoagulation. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action of PDT, and the results of preclinical and clinical studies in ophthalmology.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Hospital, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Erfurth
mesh_terms: D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077362:Verteporfin
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin