Shots:

• Nancy spoke about the results from the Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey (GAINS)
• Nancy also talked about the emotional burden on the patients and the devastating impact on independence caused by vision loss 
• The global survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Apellis Pharmaceuticals to find the impact of GA which is a leading cause of blindness in many people

Smriti: Can you share some insights into the results obtained from the Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey (GAINS)? 

Nancy: The Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey was a first-of-its-kind look at the devastating impact this advanced form of dry AMD has on patients with this disease.  Key findings included:

• Nearly 7 in 10 GA patients believe the impact on their independence and quality of life due to their visual decline is worse than they expected.
• More than 2 in 3 patients rely on a caregiver for support.
• A majority feel the disease negatively affects aspects of everyday life like the ability to read (96%), drive (95%), and travel (88%). 

Smriti: Explain the survey design of the Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey

Nancy: The global Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey (GAINS) was sponsored by Apellis and conducted by The Harris Poll.  The survey was conducted among 203 adults aged 60 or over with GA across nine countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, and Australia). Respondents were self-reported that they have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and have dry AMD in at least one of their eyes. 

Smriti: Briefly tell us about the epidemiology of Geographic Atrophy (GA) (US, EU & Global). 

Nancy: Age-related macular degeneration is a disease of the Caucasian gene pool.  It is a complex inherited disease in which multiple DNA variations come together in just the right combination to create risk for this late-onset in life condition characterized by degeneration of the macula, or center of the retina.  Thus, it is found in older individuals with, usually, a Caucasian genetic background. 

Smriti: Also, tell us about the factors responsible for causing Geographic Atrophy.

Nancy: Geographic Atrophy or GA is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, so we generally see it in older patients such as late 70s, although in some circumstances it can be seen at an earlier age.  GA relentlessly progresses with time so that it can cause severe disruption of central vision when patients reach their early to mid 80s.  Thus, older age and a genetic predisposition are the 2 factors responsible for vision loss due to GA.  

Smriti: According to you, what impact does GA cause on patients emotionally?  

Nancy: Living with GA is a huge emotional burden. Individuals with GA recognize that their vision is slowly slipping away with each passing year, and there is currently no treatment for it. Thus, people living with GA experience emotional hardships, anxiety, powerlessness, and frustration.  Many patients withdraw from their social lives because of their disease.

Source: Healthgrades

About the Author:

Dr. Nancy M. Holekamp is the Director of Retina Services at the Pepose Vision Institute in St. Louis. Dr. Holekamp is actively involved in clinical research, having been a principal investigator or sub-investigator in over 35 national clinical trials dealing with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Holekamp received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College. She received her Medical Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha

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