Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
Long-Term Follow-Up of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients
Elham Sadeghi1, Golnoush Mahmoudinezhad2, Nicola Valsecchi1,3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Purpose:
To assess the progression rate from dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) to advanced AMD and possible risk factors.
Methods:
Demographics, medical and ocular conditions, baseline eye examinations, optical coherence tomography features, and progression rates to advanced AMD were collected.
Results:
We included 74 eyes from 47 dAMD patients, with a mean age of 74.58 ± 8.29 years and 38.30% males. During a follow-up period of 8.9 ± 0.4 years, 40 eyes (54.05%) progressed to advanced AMD, with 25 eyes (33.78%) developing neovascular AMD (nAMD) and 22 eyes (29.72%) progressing to geographic atrophy (GA). Patients progressing to advanced AMD were older (77.8 ± 6.5 vs. 73.8 ± 9.5, P = 0.03). A higher incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) was noted in progressing eyes (32.5% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.01), along with thinner baseline central macular thickness (CMT) (247.93 ± 32.55 vs. 268.67 ± 16.75, P = 0.007). Smokers with OAG had a higher tendency to develop nAMD (P < 0.05). Females with lower best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were more likely to develop GA (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The progression rate to advanced AMD was 54.05% over 8.9 ± 0.4 years. Advanced age, reduced baseline CMT, and lower BCVA were linked to progression. OAG and smoking were associated with higher nAMD, while females had a higher risk of GA.
Insights
Over half of dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) patients progressed to advanced AMD within 9 years. Risk factors include older age, thinner retinas, and open-angle glaucoma (OAG).
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research
Background:
- Dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) is an early stage of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss.
- Understanding progression to advanced AMD (neovascular AMD or geographic atrophy) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the progression rate of dAMD to advanced AMD.
- To identify risk factors associated with this progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 74 eyes from 47 dAMD patients.
- Collected demographic, medical, ocular, and imaging data (OCT).
- Monitored progression to advanced AMD over an average follow-up of 8.9 years.
Main Results:
- 54.05% of eyes progressed to advanced AMD.
- Progression was linked to older age (P=0.03), thinner baseline central macular thickness (CMT) (P=0.007), and lower best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
- Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) (P=0.01) and smoking increased neovascular AMD (nAMD) risk; females had higher geographic atrophy (GA) risk (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- The dAMD to advanced AMD progression rate is significant over approximately 9 years.
- Key predictors for progression include advanced age, reduced baseline CMT, and lower BCVA.
- OAG, smoking, and female sex are associated with specific forms of advanced AMD, highlighting the need for tailored monitoring.
