Geographic Atrophy: Rapid Response from ARVO

Geographic atrophy (GA) is a pathological deterioration of the retina seen in the late stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It affects 20% of people with AMD, and its prevalence increases exponentially with age. Until recently, there were no treatment options for GA, but investigation into the complement system and its role in the pathogenesis of GA has led to targeted therapies that have revolutionized the treatment paradigm. Because of the recent approval of one of these therapies and the anticipated approval of another, clinicians must be prepared to incorporate these treatment approaches into practice. Moreover, there have been major advances in the diagnosis and monitoring of GA that have substantially impacted its management. In this educational activity, experts in the field of vascular retina diseases review the most compelling data in GA that were presented at the most recent Annual Meeting of the American Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). They also discuss their clinical relevance, while providing practical guidance on the optimal incorporation of these novel agents that target the complement cascade into clinical practice.