{"id":188,"date":"2023-08-24T14:06:48","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T14:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geographicatrophy.uk\/?page_id=188"},"modified":"2024-03-14T09:15:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T09:15:33","slug":"what-is-ga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/geographicatrophy.uk\/what-is-ga\/","title":{"rendered":"What is GA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is geographic
atrophy?<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Geographic\n\t\t\t
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The increasing burden of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Geographic atrophy is an advanced form of AMD1\u20133<\/sup> that causes progressive, irreversible degeneration of the macula.3\u20136<\/sup>

The global prevalence of AMD is growing at an exponential rate.2<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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AMD is a leading cause of permanent vision loss8<\/sup><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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In 2020, the leading causes were cataract, followed by glaucoma, undercorrected refractive error, AMD and diabetic retinopathy.8<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Causes of permanent vision loss in those aged 50+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Adapted from GBD 2019.8<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Among these global cases of AMD, the number of patients diagnosed with geographic atrophy cases is expected to almost quadruple \u2013 rising from 5 million to more than 18 million by 2040.2,3<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Causes of permanent vision loss in those aged 50+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Adapted from GBD 2019.8<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In 2020, the leading causes were cataract, followed by glaucoma, undercorrected refractive error, AMD and diabetic retinopathy.8<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Among these global cases of AMD, the number of patients diagnosed with geographic atrophy cases is expected to almost quadruple \u2013 rising from 5 million to more than 18 million by 2040.2,3 <\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Forms of advanced AMD<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Advanced AMD has two forms: geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularisation (wet AMD).9<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"Advanced<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Advanced AMD is less prevalent than the early and intermediate stages,10<\/sup> however, it is often highly symptomatic and can lead to permanent vision loss.7<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Geographic atrophy (GA) and wet AMD are considered different manifestations of advanced AMD but can occur simultaneously in the same eye. Patients with GA can naturally develop wet AMD.9<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Causes of geographic atrophy<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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AMD is a complex, multifactorial disease and GA pathogenesis encompasses a complex interaction of genetic, physiological and environmental factors.11\u201314<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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\"Genetics\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Genetics<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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