Ocular photodynamic therapy
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Coverage review initiated by HCFA July 26 could lead to a national Medicare coverage decision for QLT PhotoTherapeutics' Visudyne (verteporfin) to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Marketed by Novartis' Ciba Vision eye care unit, Visudyne is an intravenous photosensitizing drug that is activated by a laser. Coherent, Inc. and Zeiss Humphrey Systems have competed in the AMD laser market since Visudyne's FDA approval April 13