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Stein Eye Institute | Doheny Eye Centers

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Stein Eye Institute | Doheny Eye Centers

Conditions and Treatment

Conditions and Treatment

Conditions and Treatment

  • Eye Signs and Symptoms
    • Black eye
    • Blind spots
    • Blurred vision
    • Burning
    • Dark curtains
    • Dilated pupil
    • Discharge
    • Distortion
    • Drooping eyelid
    • Double vision
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    • Twitching eyelid
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  • Eye Conditions
    • Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
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    • Myopia (Nearsightedness)
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    • Retinal Detachment
    • Retinitis Pigmentosa
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    • Strabismus (Misaligned Eyes)
    • Tearing
    • Trauma
    • Uveitis (Ocular Inflammation)
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  • Surgical Treatments
    • Blepharoplasty
    • Botulinum Toxin - Botox
    • Cataract Extraction and Intraocular Lens Implantation
    • Corneal Crosslinking
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    • Intraocular Lens Exchange
    • Iris Repair
    • Laser Skin Resurfacing
    • Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis - LASIK
    • Laser Trabeculoplasty
    • Macular Degeneration Therapies
    • Multifocal Lens Implantation
    • Orbital Decompression
    • Pediatric Cataract Extraction
    • Photodynamic Therapy
    • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
    • Pterygium Excision
    • Ptosis Repair
    • Retinal Detachment Surgery
    • Strabismus Surgery
    • Toric Lens Implantation
    • Trabeculectomy
    • Tumor Excision
    • Vitrectomy
  • Non-Surgical Treatments
  • Eye Signs and Symptoms
  • Eye Conditions
  • Surgical Treatments
  • Non-Surgical Treatments
  • Blepharoplasty
  • Botulinum Toxin - Botox
  • Cataract Extraction and Intraocular Lens Implantation
  • Corneal Crosslinking
  • Corneal Transplantation
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty - DSEK
  • Diabetic Laser Surgery
  • Eyebrow Lifts
  • Facelift
  • Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
  • Glaucoma Seton Implantation
  • Intraocular Lens Exchange
  • Iris Repair
  • Laser Skin Resurfacing
  • Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis - LASIK
  • Laser Trabeculoplasty
  • Macular Degeneration Therapies
  • Multifocal Lens Implantation
  • Orbital Decompression
  • Pediatric Cataract Extraction
  • Photodynamic Therapy
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  • Pterygium Excision
  • Ptosis Repair
  • Retinal Detachment Surgery
  • Strabismus Surgery
  • Toric Lens Implantation
  • Trabeculectomy
  • Tumor Excision
  • Vitrectomy
  1. Home
  2. Conditions and Treatment
  3. Surgical Treatments
  4. Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy

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Ocular photodynamic therapy (OPT) is a relatively new treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). OPT involves the infusion of an intravenous, photosensitizing drug followed by exposure to a laser. The drug seeks out the abnormal vessels that are characteristic of AMD. The doctor then targets the vessels with a laser that activates the drug, setting in motion a chemical reaction that seals off the vessels and causes them to regress. OCT is not a cure. At best, it arrests further impairment of vision. Multiple sessions are often necessary for desired results.

OPT was approved by the FDA in 2000. OPT treatment has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of extrafoveal neovascularization and in selected cases of subfoveal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration. It is effective when the area of classic choroid neovasularization occupies 50% or more of the entire lesion.

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