Clinical Scorecard: Geographic Atrophy Patient Management

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• FDA approval of pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol for GA treatment in 2023.
• Importance of OCT and FAF for monitoring and documenting disease progression.
• Need for patient education on GA implications and treatment options.
• Consideration of patient comorbidities and overall health in treatment decisions.
• Integration of low vision services and emotional support for GA patients.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Clinical examination, OCT, and FAF are essential for diagnosing and monitoring GA.

Management

• Discuss treatment options with complement inhibitors once GA is confirmed.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regular follow-up visits for intravitreal injections and monitoring of disease progression.

Risks

• Potential safety concerns include intraocular inflammation, vasculitis, ischemic optic neuropathy, choroidal neovascularization, and endophthalmitis.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Older patients or those with significant comorbidities who may benefit from treatment.

Patients with significant vision loss or documented GA progression are more motivated to start treatment.

Clinical Best Practices

• Optimize resource allocation for injection appointments and equipment availability.
• Foster team collaboration for patient education and follow-up scheduling.
• Set realistic expectations about treatment processes and potential side effects.

References

• Geographic Atrophy Management Guidelines