Verteporfin ocular photodynamic therapy

This article reviews the pharmacotherapeutics of verteporfin (Visudyne(R), Novartis Pharma AG) used in ocular photodynamic therapy. The chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug are reviewed. The article highlights and summarises the results of the multi-centre, randomised, controlled clinical trials with verteporfin to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome and pathologic myopia. In addition, the safety profile and side effects of verteporfin are discussed.