Geographic Atrophy
Macular Degeneration PictureAtrophy is the the wasting away or the deterioration of cells or systems. You usually hear these words in association with muscle atrophy - which is the loss of muscles due to lack of use or exercise.However, in the case of our macula - the center of the retina responsible for our straight ahead, sharp detailed vision - the cone cells waste away due to lack of oxygen and nutrients and the inability to get rid of built up waste products. Here is a picture of geographic atrophy from the National Eye Institute.
Credit: National Eye Institute, NIH Ref#: EDA23 Stages of Macular DegenerationMacular degeneration is a progressive disease.Dry or atrophic macular degeneration (AMD) is identified by three macular degeneration stages. 
Each eye may be in a different stage.1. Early AMD 2. Intermediate AMD 3. Advanced AMD This late stage, or advanced AMD, is identified by: √ Circular patches of partial or complete depigmentation of one of the layers of the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). √ Usually there is exposure of another layer of tissue, the choroidal blood vessels, These changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may stabilize or they may progress. Central ScotomaDr. Michael A. Samuel, a retina specialist and author of Macular Degeneration: A Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families ,describes geographic atrophy as, "the end stage of dry AMD, where central vision is lost."This loss of our straight ahead vision is called a central scotoma - it is a gray or black spot that appears in the center of our vision. To see a picture of what a scotoma does to ones vision click here: Central Scotoma Dry AMD Clinical TrialsThere are several AMD clinical trials that are investigating new ways to treat advanced AMD.1) Sirolimus to Treat Geographic Atrophy Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration This study is currently recruiting participants and is in Bethesda, Maryland. Inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of GA. Sirolimus inhibits the production, signaling and activity of many inflammatory factors relevant to the development of GA. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the safety and possible efficacy of multiple sirolimus subconjunctival injections in participants with bilateral GA. 2)Safety and Efficacy of Brimonidine Intravitreal Implant in Patients With GA Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) This study is currently recruiting participants in Abiline, Texas. It is a "stage 1 patient-masked, dose-escalation, safety evaluation of brimonidine intravitreal implant. Patients will receive implant in one eye and "sham" treatment (meaning no treatment) in the fellow eye. Stage 2 will begin after 1 month of safety has been evaluated for Stage 1. Stage 2 is a randomized, double-masked, dose-response, sham-controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of brimonidine intravitreal implant in patients with GA from age-related macular degeneration." Dry AMD Clinical Trials - Active but Not RecuitingMacular degeneration studies may provide us with the next macular degeneration treatment breakthrough.Let me tell you about the ones for geographic atrophy(GA). 1) OT-551 Antioxidant Eye Drops to Treat GA in Age-Related Macular Degeneration This study is in Bethesda, Maryland and is ongoing, but not recruiting participants. "In this study, we will evaluate Othera Pharmaceuticals' OT-551 antioxidant eye drop for chronic treatment of the dry form of AMD. This single-center, open-label, study of up to 10 participants with bilateral GA is designed to characterize the safety of 0.45 percent concentration of OT-551 eye drops, given 3 times a day, on participants with GA area for up to three years. Participants will have one eye randomized to receive the eye drop and the fellow eye will be observed." 2) The OMEGA Study: Use of Eye Drops to Treat Geographic Atrophy Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD) This study is ongoing, but not recruiting participants. The purpose of this trial is to compare the ability of two doses of OT-551 ophthalmic solution and drug-free solution to safely and effectively treat GA associated with age-related macular degeneration. Pre-clinical results have shown that OT-551 may protect RPE cells and photoreceptors from oxidative damage and block angiogenesis stimulated by VEGF and other growth factors, and therefore is a therapeutic candidate for treating GA. For More Information:
Go from Geographic Atrophy to Dry Macular Degeneration
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