![]() In photodynamic therapy (PDT), an intravenous infusion of a special photosensitizing medication (verteporfin) is injected over 10 minutes this makes the eye more sensitive to light. Successful treatment of PVC often requires repeat dosing of anti-VEGF medication as frequently as every 4-6 weeks to prevent increased leakage or bleeding. Injections of anti-VEGF drugs into the eye block the activity of VEGF and often result in a decrease in the fluid or blood caused by the abnormal vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a molecule generated by the body that causes the abnormal vessels in PCV to leak fluid and to bleed into and under the retina. The most common treatments for PCV are intravitreal (in-the-eye) injections of an anti-VEGF medication and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Early diagnosis and treatment, however, may restore vision and prevent further vision loss in some patients. Unfortunately, some patients with PCV experience irreversible central vision loss in one or both eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning of the retina is also routinely used to aid in diagnosis of PCV. These 2 tests are able to create detailed images of the retinal and choroidal blood vessels, which can assist your retina specialist in identifying important abnormalities.īoth tests require a special dye to be injected into a vein (usually in the arm or hand) before retinal photographs are taken. In addition, fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography may be useful (Figure 2). The most important test used to diagnose PCV is a careful dilated eye examination by your retina specialist. Copyright American Society of Retina Specialists 2016 Image courtesy of the ASRS Retina Image Bank, contributed by John S. ICG angiography revealing abnormal, balloonshaped “polyp” in center of right macula (arrow). Although PCV appears to affect only one eye in some patients, it often goes on to affect both eyes over time, so frequent monitoring is important.įigure 2. The abnormal vessels in PCV may also cause scarring or loss (sometimes called atrophy) of retinal tissue.
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