Emerging treatments for geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose of review: This review describes therapeutic research programs for geographic atrophy (GA) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We highlight clinical trial data from phase I, II, and III studies.

Recent findings: There are currently no treatments for GA, a form of advanced AMD that causes significant visual morbidity. Currently, therapeutic candidates are being developed to delay further progression of GA or even attempt to reverse some of the damage. The approaches to therapy range from molecular targets to cell transplantation. Studies of these novel treatment approaches have demonstrated varying degrees of success. The progress in understanding the disease pathophysiology as well as clinical trial data is reviewed.

Summary: There are promising new treatments to prevent GA progression as well as some that may reverse the disease course.