A new weapon for the macular exclusion zone

  The human eye is like an exceptionally sophisticated camera, and a lesion in any of its structures will affect the quality of imaging. Modern technology and medical development have made it possible to replace the cornea, lens and vitreous humor, but the macula at the base of the eye is still a forbidden area because it has unusually sharp and dense visual cells, so to speak, our so-called central vision depends on this small area. Once the macular area is damaged, it will seriously damage the vision and affect the visual function, with blurred vision or blindness, which will bring great inconvenience to the patients’ life and work, and make them suffer from great physiological and psychological pain.  Macular neovascularization is a kind of abnormal blood vessel growing in the macula, which is different from the normal blood vessel and is very fragile, easily ruptured and bleeding, destroying the normal macular structure, leading to vision loss, visual distortion and central dark shadow, etc. And because of frequent recurrence, the lesion can be aggravated and seriously damage the visual function.  Macular neovascularization is common in age-related macular degeneration, pathological high myopia, central exudative chorioretinopathy and so on. Among them, age-related macular degeneration is currently one of the main causes of severe damage to central vision in developed countries worldwide, which seriously affects the quality of life of people over 60 years old, and is also on the rise in China year by year.  However, traditional laser is not the ideal treatment method because it can’t distinguish the enemy from me and at the same time it damages the normal retina and makes the vision drop immediately, while surgery is traumatic and the post-operative vision is not optimistic. Now, there is finally a new weapon, which is one of the hot spots that have attracted much attention at home and abroad in recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT).  Photodynamic therapy is a new technology that selectively acts on choroidal neovascularization with the help of photosensitizer (vtipofungin). Through non-thermal laser irradiation, the generated neovascularization rapidly shrinks without damaging the normal macular area tissue, thus maximizing the protection of residual visual function, stabilizing vision and improving the quality of life of patients.  More than 1.25 million treatments in 6 years worldwide have proven its excellent safety. This treatment is now internationally recognized as a convenient, safe and effective method for treating choroidal neovascularization under the central macular recess. Early treatment is beneficial in stabilizing and preserving the patient’s visual function and maintaining a normal life. Patients who have been diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization should be treated immediately, and the earlier treatment is started, the better the chances of maintaining visual function. Those patients with fresh small lesions can also improve their vision if they are seen promptly and can be detected and treated early. Therefore, if you notice any abnormal condition in your eyes, you should visit the hospital promptly.