Verteporfiinihoidon

Verteporfiinihoidon, often referred to as photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin, is a medical treatment used primarily for certain eye conditions. The active component, verteporfin, is a light-sensitive drug. It is administered intravenously and selectively accumulates in rapidly growing cells, such as those found in abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

Once the verteporfin has circulated and accumulated, the targeted area of the eye is illuminated with a specific wavelength of non-thermal laser light. This light activates the verteporfin, causing it to produce reactive oxygen species. These oxygen species then damage and destroy the abnormal blood vessels, while largely sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

The primary indication for verteporfin PDT is the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. These vessels can leak fluid and blood, leading to vision loss. Verteporfin PDT aims to seal these leaking vessels, preventing further damage and potentially preserving vision. It is also used for other conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, such as choroidal neovascularization due to pathological myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting.