Medical Retina Services

Visudyne therapy is based on a novel technology called photodynamic therapy, which uses light to activate the drug, Visudyne, which is concentrated within abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eye (choroids).

First, Visudyne is injected into the bloodstream through a vein in the arm. The drug is quickly absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye that cause sight loss in the “wet” form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Next, a cold laser is directed onto the affected area of the eye for exactly 83 seconds. This activates the drug and produces a reaction that destroys the abnormal blood vessels.

Visudyne is a multi-course therapy. It is typically given about every 3 months and as many times as needed to prevent regrowth of the abnormal vessels.The treatments are typically performed in a doctor’s office on an outpatient basis. It is now used in combination with Lucentis therapy for more effective treatment of wet AMD.

Recent uses of PDT include chronic central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) is a prescription medicine for the treatment of patients with wet AMD. It was approved by the US FDA in 2006. It was specifically developed for the eye. It is a treatment for wet AMD that can not only maintain vision in people suffering from wet AMD, but may actually improve their vision. Of patients in key clinical studies taking Lucentis monthly

• Up to 40% of patients had a significant improvement of at least 3 more lines (15 letters) on the eye chart
• 70% of patients could see at least 1 more letter on the eye chart
• 95% of patients had their eyesight stay the same
• Up to 40% of patients achieved a vision of at least 20/40

It may also be used in combination with Visudyne Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

Recently, Lucentis has been used to treat diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema (swelling), strokes of the eye (retinal vein occlusion) and other bleeding conditions of the retina.

What is Eylea?

Eylea is a drug used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as diabetic eye disease and other problems of the retina. It is injected into the eye to help slow vision loss from these diseases.

Eylea is the brand name for the drug aflibercept. It blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. Those blood vessels can leak and affect vision, causing vision loss from wet AMD and diabetic eye disease.

How does Eylea work?

Abnormal blood vessels need a body chemical called VEGF to grow. Eylea blocks VEGF, thus slowing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Drugs that block the trouble-causing VEGF are called anti-VEGF drugs.

What conditions are treated with Eylea?

Eylea is used to treat the following eye conditions:

• Wet AMD
• Swelling of the macula (macular edema)
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal vein occlusion

What is OZURDEX and what is it used for?

The active substance in OZURDEX is dexamethasone. Dexamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids.

OZURDEX is used to treat patients with:

• Vision loss due to diabetic macular oedema (DME), if you have already had an operation for cataract, or if you have not previously responded to, or are not suitable for, other types of treatment. Diabetic macular oedema is a swelling of the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye called the macula. DME is a condition that affects some people with diabetes.
• Vision loss caused by a blockage of veins in the eye. This blockage leads to a build up of fluid causing swelling in the area of the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) called the macula.
  Swelling of the macula may lead to damage which affects your central vision which is used for tasks like reading. OZURDEX works by reducing this swelling of the macular which helps to lessen or prevent more damage to the macula.
• Inflammation of the back of the eye. This inflammation leads to a decrease of vision and/or the presence of floaters in the eye, (black dots or wispy lines that move across the field of vision). OZURDEX works by reducing this inflammation.

This procedure involves injecting a small volume of steroid (Triamcinolone) under the eyeball through the skin of the lower eyelid. The skin is numbed using a cream before the injection is carried out. This treatment is required for the following conditions:

• Inflammation of the back compartment of the eye (posterior uveitis)
• Swelling of the macula (macular edema)
• Post-cataract surgery macular edema