Photo Dynamic Laser Treatment for Age Related Macular Degeneration
You and Dr. _______________________ have decided that a new form of treatment called Visudyne will help your ______________ eye. This treatment consists of a drug given by IV injection followed five minutes later with a brief laser treatment. It has been shown that the drug attaches itself to the abnormal blood vessels in your eye. The special laser light then reacts with the drug to cause blood vessels to dry up. There is no pain other than the needle prick into your arm to give you the drug.
The treatment procedure will take 1 to 1½ hours. We will check your vision and dilate your pupil. Your height and weight will be checked to determine how much of the drug needs to be given to you. An IV will be started and the drug will be given over a period of 10 minutes. After a five-minute wait, the doctor will do the laser treatment.
Remember the following:
1. The drug makes your body supersensitive to light. You must protect your
skin and eyes from bright sunlight for 5 days. This is very important. If
you go outdoors, you must wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that
covers all your skin. You will be given sunglasses to wear. When you are
indoors, keep curtains, blinds or shades closed. Avoid tanning salons,
halogen lighting, skylights, dental exams and surgery for 5 days. You may
watch TV and use artifical lighting.
2. Before your visit eat a meal, take your medicines and drink plenty of fluids.
3. The day of your treatment, bring a wide-brimmed hat. Wear pants, gloves
and long sleeves to cover your skin. Sunglasses will be provided.
4. The treatment takes time to work. Any improvement will take several weeks
to occur
Side Effects
There are side effects in 10 to 20% of people given the drug, verteporfin, used in this treatment.
These side effects include
• leakage of medication at the injection site
• rashes
• blurred or decreased vision
• headaches, joint aches
• hypertension or high blood pressure
• backache during infusion
If there is swelling or bruising around the injection site, you will need to protect it from sunlight until it disappears, usually no longer than 5 days.
People Who Can Not Use This Drug
People with porphyria or a known hypersensitivity to verteporfin may not receive this medicine due to the possibility of liver damage.
If you have any problems after your treatment, call (608) 263-7171 to speak to a nurse. If the clinic is closed, the phone will be forwarded to the paging operator. Ask the operator for the Ophthalmology Resident on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 12/26/2012
Copyright © 12/19/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5504
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