Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
10:14
Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Avacincaptad Pegol Slows Progressive Ellipsoid Zone Degradation and Loss in Eyes with Geographic Atrophy
Justis P Ehlers1, Hasan Cetin1, Reem Amine1
1The Tony and Leona Campane Center for Excellence in Image-Guided Surgery and Advanced Imaging Research, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
Ophthalmology
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Baseline ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity predicts geographic atrophy (GA) progression. Avacincaptad pegol (ACP) treatment significantly reduced EZ loss and degradation in patients with GA over 12 months.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity is a crucial biomarker for photoreceptor health, particularly in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is used to measure EZ integrity.
- Geographic atrophy (GA) is a progressive form of AMD leading to photoreceptor loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between baseline EZ measures and the progression of GA and photoreceptor loss.
- To evaluate the effect of avacincaptad pegol (ACP), a complement inhibitor, on EZ integrity over one year.
Main Methods:
- Post hoc analysis of pooled data from the GATHER1 and GATHER2 clinical trials.
- SD-OCT images were analyzed for EZ integrity, measuring total and partial EZ attenuation.
- GA lesion growth was tracked using fundus autofluorescence.
Main Results:
- Higher baseline EZ attenuation correlated with increased GA growth and EZ loss in sham-treated eyes.
- Avacincaptad pegol (ACP) 2 mg significantly reduced total EZ attenuation by 19.5% and partial EZ attenuation by 55.3% compared to sham over 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Baseline EZ measures are significant predictors of future GA growth and photoreceptor loss.
- ACP treatment effectively mitigated EZ loss and degradation in patients with GA.
- EZ integrity measurements can help identify high-risk patients who may benefit from early intervention.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...