Geographic Atrophy

Many of you may have seen the commercial featuring Henry Winkler, also known as "The Fonz," which raises awareness about geographic atrophy (GA). So, what exactly is GA?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the slow deterioration of the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision found at the back of the eye. Geographic atrophy (GA) is a more advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common type of AMD.

With GA, certain areas of the retina experience cell death, known as atrophy. The progression of this disease varies among individuals, leading to the development of dim or blind spots, called scotomas, in the areas affected by cell death. GA can result in progressive and permanent vision loss.GA affects your ability to drive, read, do crafts and hobbies you enjoy, and even recognize faces.

Generally, geographic atrophy (GA) is bilateral, meaning it is found in both eyes. Over 8 million people worldwide have GA, being 20% of all individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

While researchers do not fully understand the exact causes of the changes in the eye that lead to GA, it is believed that part of the immune system known as the complement cascade plays a role. Additionally, genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the condition.

In 2023, the FDA approved two new drugs for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA): Syfovre and Izervay. These new treatments offer hope to both patients and ophthalmologists. While they are effective in slowing the progression of GA, they require direct injection into the eye. The drugs work by calming the immune response to prevent damage to retinal cells. Clinical studies have shown that these treatments can slow the development of GA by 14% to 20%. However, it is important to note that neither drug has been proven to improve or restore lost vision.

Sources:

www.preventblindness.org

www.clevelandclinic.org

www.macularsociety.org

www.aao.org

Photo Source:

www.imagebank.asrs.org

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