We would like to thank you for your questions regarding the latest treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically Geographic Atrophy (GA). It is always helpful to hear what is on the minds of our patients.
While many people only think of AMD in terms of “dry” and “wet”, the disease is much more complex than that. AMD is classified into three stages: early, intermediate, and advanced. The early and intermediate stages of AMD occur when fatty deposits, called drusen, build up in the back of your eye in an area called the macula, which is in the center of your retina. Typically, with early AMD, there will be little or no impact on your vision. With intermediate AMD, the size and number of drusen increase and you may notice some changes to your central vision.
As AMD progresses, it may become advanced in the dry or convert to the wet form of the disease. In advanced dry AMD, Geographic Atrophy (GA) can occur when retinal cells gradually die, or atrophy, leading to patches of abnormal retina and loss of vision. The recent FDA approved treatment for dry AMD is for people with GA, which is intended to slow its progression.
Your physician referred you to the ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program for your intermediate dry AMD and to help detect the progression specific to wet AMD by alerting them to changes in your vision. Routine testing on your ForeseeHome device and maintaining your scheduled office visits remain essential components of your eyecare.
For more information about GA and its latest treatments, the Macular Degeneration Association is a great resource: https://macularhope.org/geographic-atrophy/. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your AMD or are experiencing any visual symptoms, the best thing to do is reach out to your eye doctor.
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