Photodynamic Therapy: Protect Your Vision with Advanced Retina Care
Retina Consultants, P.C. provides top-tier retina-related care by combining compassionate, gentle care with advanced solutions, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a non-surgical solution offered in our offices in Hartford and Farmington, Connecticut, to treat certain retinal conditions. Visit our office today and discover the PDT difference in your eye health.
What is photodynamic therapy (PDT)?
Photodynamic therapy is a specialized treatment for certain eye conditions that affect the retina, such as central serous chorioretinopathy and retinal tumors. PDT uses a two-step approach.
First, a light-sensitive drug (verteporfin, by the brand name, Visudyne®) is injected into your bloodstream. This medication collects in abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Next, your retina specialist shines a low-intensity laser into the eye. The light activates the drug, which causes localized destruction of abnormal blood vessels in the retina with minimal impact on healthy tissue.
What conditions does photodynamic therapy treat?
Photodynamic therapy is effective for several retinal conditions.
It is commonly used for:
- Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD): PDT helps slow vision loss caused by abnormal blood vessel growth. Your retina specialist will likely recommend PDT for AMD with poor response to injection therapy.
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC): This condition causes fluid buildup under the retina. It occurs due to the leakage from the choroid, which can lead to serous retinal detachment. PDT can help reduce the leakage and restore vision.
- Other abnormal retinal blood vessels: We may recommend PDT for select patients with retinal vascular disorders.
PDT only targets damaged vessels, which reduces the risk of complications compared to more invasive procedures. The procedure has a high success rate, but more than one round of treatment may be needed for some cases.
What can I expect from the procedure?
PDT is a quick outpatient procedure usually done in one visit. First, a light-sensitive medication is slowly injected into your bloodstream over about 10 minutes. Next, numbing eye drops are applied for comfort, and your retina specialist uses a gentle laser to target the affected areas of your retina. The entire treatment typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
During PDT, you will notice a steady bright light for about 90 seconds. The procedure doesn’t cause pain. Immediately after PDT, the vision of the treated eye will be dim and hazy. However, your normal vision will return after about 5 minutes. There’s no need for an eye patch after the procedure.
How long does recovery take after photodynamic therapy?
You can go home after the procedure, but have someone drive you because of altered vision. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure the best possible results. Most importantly, you’ll need to wear protective clothing that fully covers your head, hands, and legs. While verteporfin is in circulation, sunlight can activate it, which can cause damage. We also recommend staying indoors and avoiding direct sunlight and computer screens for approximately 48 hours. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to monitor healing and assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Who offers photodynamic therapy near me in the Hartford area?
At Retina Consultants, P.C., our team has extensive experience in advanced retinal therapies, including photodynamic therapy. We perform hundreds of retina procedures annually and are recognized for our precision, care, and patient-centred approach. To get started, contact us at any of our offices:
Hartford
Manchester
Cromwell
Farmington
