Procedures & Services > Treatment Options > Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy is the latest FDA approved treatment for those patients with growth of new blood vessels under the retina, called choroidal neovascularization. Conditions that can cause choroidal neovascularization include Age Related Macular Degeneration, Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome, and Myopic Degeneration.

Photodynamic Therapy is a two-step process. A drug is injected into the patient's system through a needle inserted into the patient's arm or hand. The infusion of the drug takes ten minutes. After the drug is allowed to settle into the new blood vessels, a cold laser beam is used to activate the drug and destroy these bleeding blood vessels. Because the drug settles selectively into the new blood vessels, the surrounding retinal tissue is left relatively undamaged. If the treatment is successful, damage to central vision can be slowed or possibly stopped.

Photodynamic Therapy is not the right treatment for everyone. Dr. Radtke will determine at your examination the best options for treatment based on the specifics of your disease.