Visudyne® (verteporfin for injection) therapy for wet AMD

For US Residents Only

About AMD
- Kinds of AMD
AMD Warning Signs
Treating AMD
Visudyne
Support for Low Vision
Caregiving
Common Questions
Helpful Resources

There are two kinds of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): dry and wet. Dry AMD is more common and is generally not as damaging to vision as the wet form. But beware; dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time.

Dry AMD

In dry AMD, yellowish, fatty deposits called drusen collect in the macula––the part of the retina that allows for central vision and also lets you see color and fine detail. Serious vision loss is rarely caused by dry AMD. There are no approved treatments for dry AMD.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD is characterized by abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the macula. These vessels can progress and create scar tissue, causing permanent loss of central vision.

Only about 10% to 20% of people with AMD have the wet type, but it is responsible for up to 90% of all cases of severe vision loss from AMD. Wet AMD strikes quickly and can result in rapid vision loss.

Get checked

Early detection of AMD can give you and your doctor more treatment options to limit AMD's severity.

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.