Photodynamic treatment used on eyes.The severest form of age-related macular degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) Degeneration of the macula (the central part of the retina where the rods and cones are most dense) that leads to loss of central vision in people over 60. , the so-called wet form of this eye disease, results when new blood vessels sprout under the retina. The vessels leak fluid, which causes vision loss (SN: 10/2/99, p. 215). Only about 15 percent of cases of wet macular degeneration are treatable using the only current technology available--laser light to cauterize cauterize /cau·ter·ize/ (kaw´ter-iz) to apply a cautery; to destroy tissue by the application of heat, cold, or a caustic agent. cau·ter·ize v. To burn or sear with a cautery. the rogue vessels to stanch stanch 1 also staunch tr.v. stanched also staunched, stanch·ing also staunch·ing, stanch·es also staunch·es 1. To stop or check the flow of (blood or tears, for example). 2. the flow. This procedure risks destroying some of the retina. Now, researchers have devised a new technique that combines photosensitive A material that changes when exposed to light. See photoelectric. dye with cooler laser light. The dye gravitates to the fast-growing vessels. When exposed to laser light, drugs in the dye kill the rogue vessels, Joan W. Miller of Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School (HMS) is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is a prestigious American medical school located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. in Boston reports. Early results of the procedure on several hundred patients offer promise to some of the thousands of people diagnosed with wet macular degeneration each year, she says. This photodynamic therapy technique, which is still being tested, is currently under review for approval by the Food and Drug Administration. |
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