If the abnormal blood vessels grow under the center of the macula
standard laser treatment
would permanently damage
the macula,
worsening vision. In some of these cases a type of treatment called
Photodynamic therapy or PDT may be an option. This therapeutic procedure uses a combination of a light activated drug called a
photosensitizer and special low-power or cool laser. The combination can be used to treat Wet
AMD right at the center of the macula.
With PDT the photosensitive drug is injected into the patient and travels throughout all the blood vessels including the abnormal
vessels behind the central macula. The drug attaches to molecules that are commonly found in rapidly growing cells such as those
in Wet AMD
blood vessels. A low power laser light is focused directly on the abnormal vessels which activates the drug causing
damage specifically to the unwanted blood vessels.