Visual Function Benefit of Treatments for Geographic Atrophy

Are reported visual function results in GA trials evidence of absence, or simply an absence of evidence?

Zhichao Wu, BAppSc (Optom), PhDRobyn Guymer, AM, MBBS, PhD, FRANZCO, FAHMS

Retinal Physician February 1, 2026

1

Recent therapies for geographic atrophy (GA) have shown a 15% reduction in growth rates but no significant visual function improvements.
2

Visual acuity and reading speed, commonly used endpoints in GA trials, have limitations in reflecting overall functional impact.
3

Measurement variability in visual function endpoints is significantly higher than in structural measurements of GA extent.
4

Defect-mapping microperimetry (DMP) outperforms conventional methods in capturing visual sensitivity loss in GA.
5

The absence of significant treatment effects in trials may reflect limitations of assessment tools rather than lack of functional benefit.

1