[The potential and the limits of photodynamic therapy - a review]

The spectrum of possible treatments for choroidal neovascularisation has been considerably increased with the introduction of photodynamic therapy. On the other hand the technical complexity and high cost associated with this new method require a pinpointed and dedicated application to achieve not only treatment benefits for the patients, but also not to exceed the available resources. This focussed application of the new treatment method can only be performed if the basics of diagnosis, indication, treatment and follow-up care are sufficiently known and used.

The standard treatment protocol, the results of published clinical trials as well as many published clinical observations are presented and discussed.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin can prevent massive loss of vision in many cases of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation, but the treatment outcome depends on many factors, the most important being the underlying disease process. Hence, indication for photodynamic therapy should adhere to the published treatment guidelines. In the future, additional medications or alterations of the treatment protocol might improve treatment outcome.