Verteporfin (trade name Visudyne), a benzoporphyrin derivative, is a medication used as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy to eliminate the abnormal blood vessels in the eye associated with conditions such as the wet form of macular degeneration.

Also, photosensitivity; it is strictly advised to avoid exposure to sunlight and unscreened lighting until 48 hours after verteporfin administration.

[6] The agents form when the porphyrin absorbs enough light to generate a reactive but short-lived singlet oxygen.

[6] The brief singlet oxygen can micro damage biological structures, leading to a local vascular occlusion.

[9] Verteporfin may be used off-label for treating central serous retinopathy [4][9] and is experimentally applied to reduce scarring in hair transplantations.