FDA Approves Modulight Laser to Treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The FDA has approved Modulight’s ML6710i photodynamic laser for use with Bausch + Lomb’s Visudyne (verteporfin) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The cloud-connected ML6710i laser can be controlled and moved through an iPad. The laser is used in conjunction with a slit-lamp adapter, which enables a diagnostic evaluation and a laser treatment to be conducted at the same workstation.

Verteporfin works to prevent disease progression when it is activated using a photodynamic laser to specifically destroy abnormal blood vessels in patients with neovascularization due to AMD, pathologic myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis — an infection caused by fungal spores. The drug is injected through an intravenous line into the largest vein in the patient’s hand.

The two companies expect the combination treatment to be available in the first half of this year.