Expert Consensus on Geographic Atrophy in the EU: A Call for Urgent Policy Action

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Geographic atrophy significantly impacts patients and families, particularly in the aging European population.
• There is a critical need for EU-wide policy initiatives to manage geographic atrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose policy recommendations for addressing geographic atrophy across the European Union.
• To analyze best practices from Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.

Main Methods:

• Consensus paper development by ophthalmology experts.
• Analysis of national best practices in geographic atrophy management.
• Formulation of EU-level policy recommendations.

Main Results:

• Identified successful awareness campaigns and inclusive policies in selected EU countries.
• Developed specific policy recommendations for EU-wide implementation.
• Highlighted the need for unified European support to combat geographic atrophy.

Conclusions:

• Implementing recommended policies can significantly benefit individuals affected by geographic atrophy.
• EU-level support is crucial for enhancing national policies and addressing the burden of geographic atrophy.
• Key recommendations include comprehensive screening programs and EU directives on eye health.