Geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is defined by the presence of sharply demarcated atrophic lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retina.1,2 Geographic atrophy (GA) affects ~1.5 million people in the United States,3 but it is believed that only ~25% of patients are currently diagnosed.4 With increased awareness of GA, along with an aging population, more patients may be turning to their eye care professionals for support.
Iveric Bio offers this checklist for patient management. It provides key goals or steps in four main areas: staff knowledge, practice logistics, administrative support and patient support.
You can download the checklist here or learn more about GA, including identifying GA and managing patients at seegadifferently.com.
Read other stories about how ODs are detecting and talking with patients about GA here.
References:
1.Fleckenstein M, Mitchell P, Freund KB, et al. The progression of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2018;125(3):369-390.
2.Sadda SR, Chakravarthy U, Birch DG, Staurenghi G, Henry EC, Brittain C. Clinical endpoints for the study of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Retina. 2016;36(10):1806-1822.
3.Jaffe GJ, Westby K, CsakyKG, et al. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(4):576-586.
4. IQVIA Medical Claims (Dx) Data Jan’20–Dec’21: 24 Months.
This content is independent editorial sponsored by Astellas. Astellas had no input in the development of this content. Astellas, formerly Iveric Bio.
Featured image credit: Pond5, Getty Images
