Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), marked by the gradual death of retinal cells, particularly within the macula, the region responsible for sharp, central vision. As these cells deteriorate, the ability to perceive fine detail and contrast steadily declines. Over time, distinct areas of retinal damage form, giving the disease its “geographic” appearance when viewed during clinical examination.

Unlike wet AMD, which is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina, GA progresses through the slow and irreversible loss of retinal tissue. This degeneration affects millions of people worldwide, most often those aged 65 and older. As the global population ages, the prevalence of GA is expected to increase significantly, presenting one of the most pressing unmet needs in ophthalmology today.

While there is currently no cure for geographic atrophy, our mission, to restore vision through regenerative therapeutics drives us to pursue treatments that have the potential to not only slow disease progression but also restore sight and quality of life for those affected.

By Theodore Leng, MD, MS, FASRS
Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine

Who's at Risk?

Geographic atrophy affects an estimated 8 million people worldwide and occurs in about one in five people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The condition is more common with increasing age, particularly after 60, and may be influenced by family history and lifestyle factors such as smoking. Diet and physical activity may also play a role.

What Are The Symptoms

Geographic atrophy develops slowly, and symptoms may not be noticeable at first. Over time, symptoms can include:

Difficulty seeing in the center of your vision, which is needed for reading, crafts, cooking, recognizing faces, and driving
Numbers or letters disappearing or missing when reading
A dim or dark spot in your central or near central (side) vision
Trouble seeing in dim light
Needing extra light to read
Dull or washed out colors
Vision not as clear or sharp

If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s important to contact an ophthalmologist and schedule an eye exam. Regular eye exams are recommended as you age to help detect vision changes early.

What Is The Treatment?

Currently, there is no cure for geographic atrophy. Available treatments are designed to slow the progression of the disease, but they do not restore lost vision. Some therapies, including recently approved medications and nutritional supplements, may help delay further damage in certain patients, though clinical studies suggest they do not improve vision.

At Vision BioSciences, our goal is different. Rather than slowing vision loss, we are focused on regenerative approaches designed to address the underlying damage and aim to restore retinal function, offering the potential to reverse disease progression and change what’s possible for patients with geographic atrophy.

Geographic Atrophy

This website uses cookies.