Key myths and misconceptions about geographic atrophy (GA) exist, even in the provider community. In a six-minute video titled, Dismiss the Myths, four doctors join Weslie Hamada, OD, FAAO, director of ECP Marketing and Randy Wong, MD, senior director at Iveric Bio to review.
In this video, Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, addresses the myth that GA progresses slowly. “Data from the AREDS study shows that the median time from any GA diagnosis to foveal involvement is 2.5 years,” she says, noting that is not slow.
Dr. Majcher joins Lisa Nijm, MD, JD; Mark Dunar, OD, FAAO; and Jorge Fortun, MD, who consider the speed of progress along with these other three myths.
GA affects all my patients the same way.
Only older, Caucasian patients who smoke get GA.
Visual acuity is the best indicator for GA progression.
Dr. Majcher notes traditional acuity testing is limited because of the artificial environment in which it is performed. “That’s so different form the real world environment and visual demands that we encounter on a daily basis.”
Watch the entire video here.
Read other stories about how ODs are detecting and talking with patients about GA here.
This content is independent editorial sponsored by Astellas. Astellas had no input in the development of this content. Astellas, formerly Iveric Bio.
