How Geographic Atrophy Leads to Irreversible Vision Loss

Submitted by Elman Retina Group on April 4, 2024
AMD treatment in Glen Burnie

Losing your central vision is often a scary experience because it affects your ability to drive, read, and see the faces of your children and loved ones. Geographic atrophy is the advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when lesions show up in the retina and cause permanent vision impairment. This eye disease affects your quality of life and independence, but a newly approved medication offers the first glimpse of hope for patients with geographic atrophy. Our board-certified ophthalmologists specialize in retinal diseases at Elman Retina Group in Glen Burnie and understand the profound impact of advanced dry AMD.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration affects the center of the retina, called the macula, damaging central vision. Patients may still see from the sides of their vision, but the center is blurry, blotchy, or riddled with blind spots. AMD often affects both eyes at once and shows no early symptoms. The two forms (dry and wet) both cause vision loss, but dry AMD progresses more slowly.

Dry AMD is more common than wet AMD and may take several years to advance to the late stage with geographic atrophy. The early and intermediate stages of dry AMD may not cause symptoms, or patients may have mild blurriness and difficulty seeing in low-lit environments. Late-stage dry AMD is when patients notice crooked or wavy lines and develop blank spots in their central vision that get bigger. Wet AMD is less common and causes rapid vision loss. Dry AMD may turn into wet AMD in the late stages when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and damage the macula.

Geographic atrophy is the late stage of dry AMD, affecting 8 million people globally, or about 20% of people with AMD. Patients with geographic atrophy struggle with tasks that require central vision, such as crafts, sewing, reading, writing, and driving.

What Causes Geographic Atrophy?

Geographic atrophy happens when atrophic lesions develop in the outer retina and grow to cover the macula. Researchers don’t yet understand what causes the eye changes that lead to geographic atrophy, but the immune system combined with genetic and environmental factors could play a role. Risk factors for geographic atrophy include:

  • 60 or older
  • Caucasian
  • Light-colored eyes
  • History of smoking
  • Poor diet
  • History of excessive sun exposure
  • Biological family members with AMD
  • High refractive errors or poor vision

Syofovre™ – The First Medication for Geographic Atrophy in Dry AMD Patients

Syofovre™ gained FDA approval in 2023, making it the first medication to treat geographic atrophy caused by advanced AMD. This prescription eye injection requires monthly or every other month treatments to slow lesion growth from geographic atrophy. Before Syofovre™, patients had little hope for their vision, but two Phase 3 studies proved this medication can reduce lesion growth by up to 36% with results that improve over time. The best benefits of Syofovre™ were seen between 18 and 24 months with ongoing treatments.

If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration, schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified ophthalmologists to discuss your treatment options. Contact Elman Retina Group in Pikesville and Glen Burnie, Maryland, at (410) 686-3000.