[New methods of treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Photodynamic therapy. Part I].

Neovascular form of Age-related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. There is un urgent need for the effective treatment. In the recent years a number of treatment methods has been investigated. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with verteporfin appears to be an exciting approach to treatment which may provide a major breakthrough. The benefits of PDT with verteporfin were proved in randomized clinical trials--Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration With Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) study.