Visudyne® (verteporfin for injection) therapy for wet AMD | Visudyne (verteporfin for injection) therapy for AMD

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Visudyne therapy is proven to help slow the loss of vision in persons with a form of wet AMD called predominantly classic subfoveal CNV due to AMD. Visudyne therapy is the first treatment ever approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this disease.

The sooner the better

If you have been diagnosed with this condition, the sooner you begin the therapy your ophthalmologist or retinal specialist recommends, the better your chances of retaining more of your vision. Wet AMD is a serious eye disease that, if left untreated, can quickly cause severe vision loss.

Visudyne is unique

Visudyne is a unique drug therapy that is light activated. When injected into the bloodstream, Visudyne travels to abnormal leaky vessels in your eye. Once Visudyne is activated by a low-energy non-thermal laser, a reaction occurs that damages and seals the abnormal vessels.

Get checked

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

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.