Photodynamic therapy of eye diseases.

Photodynamic therapy is presently being used to treat several cutaneous cancers. The production of new second generation photosensitizers with better absorption spectra and systemic tolerance has lead to active investigation of these compounds in ophthalmology. The selective tissue damage with PDT is achieved by sequestration of the photosensitizer in the target tissue and focal activation of the photosensitizer by low energy directed light. The potential uses for PDT include the treatment of ocular tumors, neovascularization and ciliary body ablation. Visudyne already has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, and many patients already have been treated with this drug.