Visudyne for macular degeneration

Visudyne is used to treat certain forms of age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a condition resulting in vision loss. Visudyne is a two-step treatment of injected drug plus red laser light.

Who should not be treated with Visudyne?

You should not be given Visudyne if you are allergic to certain pigments called porphyrins or have a medical condition called porphyria (a disorder of the metabolism that can lead to sensitivity to light).

Special Warnings with Visudyne:

Patients treated with Visudyne become more sensitive to the effects of sunlight (photosensitivity) and must avoid exposing skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 5 days.

There are some things that you should tell your doctor when taking this medication:

Certain medications may interact with Visudyne or increase sensitivity to light. Review all medications you are taking with your doctor, including those that you take without a prescription.

What side effects can you expect when taking Visudyne? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Visudyne. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

• Headache
• Injection site reaction, such as oozing and rash
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision, reduced visual sharpness
• Sunburn

For more detailed information about Visudyne, ask your doctor.