Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) characterized by atrophic lesions that begin in the outer retina but progress across the macula and fovea, resulting in permanent vision loss over time.1
The estimated global prevalence of GA is over 5 million, of which over 20% are in the United States, with 160,000 new US cases being identified each year—and that number is expected to continue to grow.2,3 Due to the progressive nature of the disease, it’s natural for patients to experience anxiety and fear around their diagnosis and vision loss.
While there are currently two FDA-approved treatments to slow the progression of the disease, it’s important for patients to understand that these treatments delay vision loss but do not restore vision. These conversations can be difficult to navigate.
In this video series, watch David Perlmutter, MD, react to geographic atrophy patient encounters.* Dr. Perlmutter is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Perlmutter Eye Center in Albany, New York, where he specializes in cataract surgery, glaucoma care, and retinal disease.
*Disclaimer: Though each scenario is based on an actual encounter, the voices used in this content were computer-generated.
Encounter 1: “I thought I was just getting older…”
Patients are most often introduced to their AMD diagnosis in a primary eyecare setting, and many patients have already had the conversation about their disease progression with their optometrist.
Having a strong co-management network with primary eyecare providers can be a major benefit to catching GA early—and introducing patients to the possibilities for treatment.
Watch Dr. Perlmutter’s reaction to this newly referred patient below:
Encounter 2: “Another shot? I can’t keep doing this…”
Treatment fatigue can be a major barrier for many patients, especially those who find it difficult to travel to receive treatment. However, consistency is crucial in order to protect vision and retinal cells.
Therefore, it’s important to be able to guide these tough discussions to help patients understand GA’s emotional impact and treatment limits.
Watch Dr. Perlmutter’s reaction to this conversation about treatment fatigue:
We’re keeping the conversation going over on Instagram and YouTube Shorts every week. Jump in. Share how you would’ve handled these moments, or tell us what you’ve seen in your own clinic.
Encounter 3: “I can’t drive at night anymore, but I still don’t think I need treatment yet.”
GA affects patients’ lifestyles even before they’re ready to admit its impact. Subtle quality-of-life changes can be red flags for intervention—and it’s up to physicians to lead these conversations in order to advocate for timely action before irreversible loss.
Watch Dr. Perlmutter’s reaction to a patient who’s not quite ready to admit her vision loss:
Encounter 4: “I don’t want to be a burden…”
As patients’ vision loss increases, their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) can decrease—impacting both their own and their caregivers’ quality of life.
Preserving function supports both patient and caregiver mental health, and early treatment can help prolong autonomy by protecting healthy retinal cells.
Watch Dr. Perlmutter react to this patient conversation below:
