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A diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) must be made by an ophthalmologist or retinal specialist. Early detection is critical in order to ensure optimal benefit from treatment. Click here to find a specialist near you.

Regular eye exams are key

Early detection of AMD is essential to preserving your vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40. After that, the person's ophthalmologist or retinal specialist will recommend a schedule of eye exams.

If you've been diagnosed with AMD, you need to be regularly monitored for changes in your vision. So if you haven't seen your ophthalmologist or retinal specialist, make an appointment today.

Patients are important to the detection of AMD

AMD may "announce" itself suddenly, especially in its more severe wet form. Regular at-home monitoring of your vision with an Amsler grid can help you spot trouble early.

Click here to learn how you can use an Amsler grid.

Diagnosing AMD

Many patients with dry AMD have no symptoms. To aid in diagnosis, your physician may conduct a variety of eye exams. As important as these tests are, they're only part of the story. The best defense against vision loss due to AMD is your awareness of its warning signs, together with ongoing monitoring of your vision and regular eye exams.

Is Visudyne for me?

Visudyne is a treatment to help slow the loss of vision in persons with predominantly classic wet AMD.

Important Safety Information

Visudyne therapy is not for everyone. People who have an abnormal sensitivity to light (a condition called porphyria) and those with allergies to any of the ingredients should not receive Visudyne. (Your doctor has a list of ingredients in Visudyne.) Check with your doctor or healthcare professional to see if you might be allergic to any component of Visudyne therapy. Only your doctor can determine if Visudyne is right for you.

Between 1% and 5% of patients experienced a substantial decrease in vision in the first 7 days after treatment, though some patients achieved partial recovery. Patients who experience substantial vision loss should consult their ophthalmologist or retinal specialist immediately. The most commonly reported adverse events (10-30%) were injection site reactions, temporary back pain during injection, changes in vision, including blurring, decreased sharpness in vision, and gaps in vision.

Patients should avoid direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days following therapy with Visudyne.

Patients who have to go outdoors in daylight after treatment must protect all parts of their skin and eyes by wearing protective clothing and dark glasses. Ultraviolet (UV) sunscreens are not effective in protecting against photosensitivity reactions.

QLT Ophthalmics

© 2012 QLT Ophthalmics, Inc. All rights reserved. Visudyne® is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.       QOI-VIS-WWW-2010-10