Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry macular degeneration in which large, well-demarcated sections of the retina stop functioning. It leads to irreversible vision loss.
GA can occur late in the progression of “dry” AMD, but can also occur even after “wet” AMD has developed and after the use of anti-VEGF injections to stop “wet” AMD. Patients with GA can also develop “wet” AMD.
GA affects more than 5 million people worldwide.
GA accounts for 20% of all legal blindness attributed to AMD.
After age 50, the prevalence of GA quadruples every 10 years.
Geographic Atrophy Treatment
A new treatment for geographic atrophy will be available as early as March 2023. In February, the FDA approved the drug Syfovre (pegcetacoplan injection) for geographic atrophy treatment.
Also see the SYFOVRE safety information page.