5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Geographic atrophy care is evolving to recognize disease progression earlier using optical coherence tomography (OCT) for early warning signs.

• 2

  Optometrists play a crucial role in monitoring patients over time, allowing for early recognition of structural changes and timely referrals.

• 3

  High-risk OCT features include hyper-reflective foci, large drusen volume, and outer retinal disruption, which indicate greater risk for progression.

• 4

  Current treatments like pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol can slow geographic atrophy, but do not restore vision.

• 5

  AI is being integrated into GA care to predict disease progression and individualize treatment decisions based on longitudinal imaging.