Geographic Atrophy Secondary to AMD: Optimizing Patient Selection for Novel Therapeutics
This activity is supported by educational grants from Astellas and Topcon Healthcare, Inc.
Overview
Provider Statement
This continuing education activity is provided by 
Support Statement
This activity is supported by educational grants from Astellas and Topcon Healthcare, Inc.
Activity Description
Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that leads to the gradual and irreversible decline of visual function. Patient quality of life is considerably impacted by GA, even though the progression of the disease varies among individuals. Utilization of multimodal imaging is imperative for the timely detection and monitoring of GA, with an international consensus identifying optical coherence tomography as the primary method for detecting atrophy in affected eyes. In 2023, the FDA approved 2 novel therapies for the management of GA secondary to AMD that target components of the complement system. Integration of these therapies into treatment protocols has transformed the management paradigm for patients with GA. In this CE activity, experts in the field review the latest understanding of the underlying mechanisms that lead to the development of GA secondary to AMD, evaluate the latest imaging technologies for the timely detection and monitoring of disease progression, and assess the latest evidence-based treatment protocols for the management of patients with GA.
Target Audience
The intended audience for this activity is ophthalmologists, retina specialists, and optometrists, involved in the management of patients with, or at risk for, GA secondary to AMD.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Understand the most recent findings regarding the underlying mechanisms that lead to the development of GA secondary to AMD.
- Explain the rationale for early diagnosis of GA secondary to AMD and the significance of the latest imaging technologies for timely detection and monitoring of disease progression.
- Use the latest evidence-based medicine when managing patients with GA secondary to AMD.
Activity Chair
Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS
Managing Partner
Director of Clinical Research
Director of Fellowship
Sierra Eye Associates
Clinical Professor of Surgery
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Reno, NV
Faculty
Justis P. Ehlers, MD
The Norman C. and Donna L. Harbert Endowed Chair of Ophthalmic Research
Cole Eye Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology, UCLA
Doheny Eye Institute
Los Angeles, CA
Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA
Professor of Ophthalmology
Fellowship Program Director, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
Planner/Reviewer
Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Designation
Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, December 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025.
How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit
To participate in this activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 2 of the 3 posttest questions correctly. If a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ certificate.
Disclosures
Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Relationship information is accurate at the time of content development.
Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)
Justis P. Ehlers, MD
Royalties or Patent Beneficiary: Leica
Consultant: AbbVie, Adverum, Alcon, Alexion, Allegro, Allergan, Apellis, Bayer, Beyeonics, Boehringer Ingelheim, BVI, Exegenesis, EyePoint, Genentech, IVERIC bio, Leica/Bioptigen, Novartis, Ophthalytics, Perceive Biotherapeutics, Regeneron, Regenxbio, Roche, Stealth, Zeiss
Independent Research Contractor: Adverum, Aerpio, Alcon, Alexion, Allergan, Beyeonics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, IVERIC bio, Novartis, Oxurion/ThromboGenics, Perceive Biotherapeutics, Regeneron, Roche, Stealth, Zeiss
Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS
Consultant: 4DMT, AbbVie, Adverum, Alcon, Amgen, Annexin, Annexon, Apellis, Aviceda, Beacon, Boehringer Ingelheim, Clearside, Complement Therapeutics, Exegenesis, EyePoint, Frontera, Genentech, Gyroscope, i-Lumen, IVERIC bio, Janssen, Kodiak, Kriya, Kyowa Kirin, Nanoscope, Novartis, Ocular Therapeutix, Oculis, Ocuphire, OcuTerra, Olive BioPharma, Opthea, Oxular, Oxurion, Perfuse, Ray Therapeutics, Recens Medical, Regeneron, Regenxbio, Revive, RevOpsis, Roche, Sanofi, Stealth BioTherapeutics, Thea, Unity Bio, Vanotech, Vial
Independent Research Contractor: 4DMT, Adverum, Alexion, Annexon, Apellis, Aviceda, Eluminex, EyePoint, Exegenesis, Genentech, Gyroscope, IVERIC bio, Janssen, Kodiak, Kyowa Kirin, Neurotech, Ocular Therapeutix, Oxular, Regenxbio
Stock Options: Aviceda, Oculis, Opthea, Perfuse, PolyPhotonix, RecensMedical, RevOpsis, Vial
Board of Directors: Oculis
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD
Consultant: 4DMT, AbbVie, Alexion, Allergan, Alnylam, Amgen, Apellis, Astellas, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Catalyst, CenterVue, Genentech, Gyroscope, Heidelberg Engineering, Hoffman La Roche, IVERIC bio, Janssen, Nanoscope, Notal Vision, Novartis, Optos, Oxurion/ThromboGenics, Oyster Point, Regeneron, Samsung Bioepis, Topcon, Zeiss
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: 4DMT, AbbVie, Alexion, Allergan, Alnylam, Amgen, Apellis, Astellas, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Catalyst, CenterVue, Genentech, Gyroscope, Heidelberg Engineering, Hoffman La Roche, IVERIC bio, Janssen, Nanoscope, Notal Vision, Novartis, Optos, Oxurion/ThromboGenics, Oyster Point, Regeneron, Samsung Bioepis, Topcon, Zeiss
Independent Research Contractor: CenterVue, Heidelberg, Nidek, Topcon, Zeiss
Research Instruments: CenterVue, Heidelberg, Nidek, Novartis, Optos, Topcon, Zeiss
Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA
Consultant: Alcon, Alimera, Allergan/AbbVie, Apellis, Astellas/IVERIC bio, DORC, EyePoint, Genentech, Novartis, Opthea, Regeneron, Regenxbio
Independent Research Contractor: Alimera, AGTC, DRCR Retina Network
Planner/Reviewer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)
Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.
Unlabeled and Investigational Usage
The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.
Copyright Statement
Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2024 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.
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