What is Verteporfin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Verteporfin is a light-activated medication used to treat certain serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss. It works through a special process called photodynamic therapy, where the medicine is injected into your bloodstream and then activated by a specific type of laser light applied to your eye.

This treatment is primarily used for age-related macular degeneration and other conditions where abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of your eye. While the name might sound complex, verteporfin has helped many people preserve their vision when other treatments weren't suitable options.

What is Verteporfin Used For?

Verteporfin treats specific eye conditions where abnormal blood vessels cause vision problems. The most common use is for a type of age-related macular degeneration called "wet" AMD, where leaky blood vessels damage the central part of your vision.

Your eye doctor might recommend verteporfin if you have what's called "predominantly classic" choroidal neovascularization. This means abnormal blood vessels have grown under your retina and are causing fluid leakage or bleeding that threatens your central vision.

The medication is also sometimes used for other conditions like pathologic myopia complications or certain types of choroidal hemangiomas. These are less common situations where similar abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the eye.

How Does Verteporfin Work?

Verteporfin is considered a moderate-strength medication that works through a unique two-step process. First, the medicine is injected into a vein in your arm, where it travels through your bloodstream to reach the abnormal blood vessels in your eye.

About 15 minutes after the injection, your doctor applies a special red laser light to your eye for exactly 83 seconds. This light activates the verteporfin, causing it to produce substances that help close off the problematic blood vessels without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

Think of it like a targeted treatment that only works where the laser light is applied. The medicine itself isn't harmful until it's activated by the specific wavelength of light, making it quite precise in treating just the affected area.

How Should I Take Verteporfin?

Verteporfin is always given as an intravenous injection in a medical facility, never as a pill or eye drop. You'll receive the treatment in your doctor's office or an outpatient clinic where they have the special laser equipment needed.

The injection itself takes about 10 minutes, during which the medicine is slowly delivered through a vein in your arm. You don't need to do anything special to prepare, though your doctor might ask you to avoid eating a large meal beforehand to prevent any nausea.

After the injection, you'll wait about 15 minutes before the laser treatment begins. During this waiting period, the medicine circulates through your body and accumulates in the abnormal blood vessels in your eye.

How Long Should I Take Verteporfin For?

The duration of verteporfin treatment varies greatly depending on how your eye responds to the therapy. Many people need multiple treatments spaced about three months apart to achieve the best results.

Your eye doctor will monitor your progress with regular eye exams and special imaging tests. If the abnormal blood vessels start growing again or if fluid returns, you might need additional treatments. Some people need just one or two sessions, while others may require several treatments over a year or more.

The decision to continue or stop treatment depends entirely on how well your eye is responding and whether the benefits outweigh any risks. Your doctor will discuss this with you at each follow-up appointment.

What Are the Side Effects of Verteporfin?

Most people tolerate verteporfin well, but like any medication, it can cause side effects. The most important thing to know is that you'll be extremely sensitive to light for several days after treatment.

Here are the most common side effects you might experience, and understanding them can help you prepare and know what to expect:

• Severe light sensitivity: This affects nearly everyone and can last 1-2 days. You'll need to avoid bright lights, sunlight, and even indoor lighting
• Vision changes: Temporary blurred vision, seeing dark spots, or changes in color perception for a few days
• Injection site reactions: Pain, swelling, or discoloration where the IV was placed
• Back pain: Some people experience mild to moderate back discomfort during or after the infusion
• Nausea: Usually mild and temporary, occurring during or shortly after treatment

These common effects are generally manageable and resolve within a few days. Your medical team will give you specific instructions on protecting yourself from light exposure.

Less common but more serious side effects can occur, though they're rare. These might include severe allergic reactions, significant vision loss, or complications from the light sensitivity if proper precautions aren't followed.

Some people experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe back pain during the infusion. If any of these occur, your medical team will stop the treatment immediately and provide appropriate care.

Who Should Not Take Verteporfin?

Verteporfin isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully evaluate whether it's right for you. People with certain conditions or in specific situations should avoid this treatment.

You shouldn't receive verteporfin if you're allergic to the medication itself or to any of its components. Additionally, if you have porphyria, a rare blood disorder that affects how your body processes certain chemicals, this treatment could be dangerous.

Pregnant women should not receive verteporfin, as its effects on developing babies aren't fully known. If you're breastfeeding, your doctor will discuss whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks, as small amounts of the medication might pass into breast milk.

People with severe liver problems might not be good candidates, as the medication is processed through the liver. Your doctor will review your medical history and might order blood tests to check your liver function before treatment.

Verteporfin Brand Name

Verteporfin is sold under the brand name Visudyne. This is the most commonly available form of the medication and the one your doctor will likely prescribe.

Visudyne comes as a powder that's mixed with sterile water to create the injection solution. The mixing is always done by trained medical professionals right before your treatment to ensure the medication is fresh and properly prepared.

Verteporfin Alternatives

Several other treatments are available for the eye conditions that verteporfin treats, and your doctor will help you understand which option might work best for your specific situation.

Anti-VEGF injections, such as ranibizumab (Lucentis) or aflibercept (Eylea), are often the first choice for wet macular degeneration. These medications are injected directly into the eye and work by blocking the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

For some people, thermal laser photocoagulation might be an option, though this is less commonly used today. This treatment uses heat to seal off leaky blood vessels, but it can cause more damage to surrounding tissue than verteporfin.

In certain cases, your doctor might recommend a combination of treatments or suggest monitoring without immediate intervention, especially if the condition is progressing slowly and not significantly affecting your vision.

Is Verteporfin Better Than Anti-VEGF Injections?

Whether verteporfin is better than anti-VEGF injections depends on your specific eye condition and individual circumstances. Both treatments have their own advantages and are suited for different situations.

Anti-VEGF injections are generally considered the first-line treatment for wet macular degeneration because they can actually improve vision in many cases. They're also given more frequently but are administered directly into the eye rather than through an IV.

Verteporfin might be preferred if you have the specific type of blood vessel growth that responds best to photodynamic therapy, or if you haven't responded well to anti-VEGF treatments. It's also an option if you can't tolerate frequent eye injections.

Your eye doctor will consider factors like the size and location of the abnormal blood vessels, your overall health, and your preferences when recommending the best treatment approach for you.