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FDA Approves Treatment for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Wed, 04/26/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of verteporfin for injection (Visudyne), the first therapy to slow vision loss in people with the classic type of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD, a retinal disease causing severe and irreversible vision loss, is a major cause of blindness in individuals older than 60 years in the Western World. In AMD the central field of vision is impaired while the peripheral or side vision is unaffected.

90% of AMD is the "dry" form and only 10% is the "wet" form, but the "wet" form destroys vision more quickly. Untreated, the majority of eyes affected with wet AMD will become functionally blind within two years.

Visudyne therapy is a two-step combination drug and device treatment process. It is relatively painless, takes about 20 minutes, and can be performed in a doctor's office.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of verteporfin for injection (Visudyne), the first therapy to slow vision loss in people with the classic type of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD, a retinal disease causing severe and irreversible vision loss, is a major cause of blindness in individuals older than 60 years in the Western World. In AMD the central field of vision is impaired while the peripheral or side vision is unaffected.

90% of AMD is the "dry" form and only 10% is the "wet" form, but the "wet" form destroys vision more quickly. Untreated, the majority of eyes affected with wet AMD will become functionally blind within two years.

Visudyne therapy is a two-step combination drug and device treatment process. It is relatively painless, takes about 20 minutes, and can be performed in a doctor's office.