verteporfin /ver″tĕ-por′fin/ , a photosensitizing agent that accumulates preferentially in neovasculature, including that in the choroid, such as occurs in age-related macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis, or pathological myopia. The agent is then activated by light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen and causes local damage to the neovascular endothelium followed by vessel occlusion. It is administered intravenously before irradiation of the lesion with light from a compatible laser.
