Should I Treat This Patient With Geographic Atrophy? Weighing Benefits and Burden of Treatment With Complement Inhibitors

Geographic atrophy (GA) is a progressive disease that can cause blindness and loss of independence. Recent advances in imaging and the approval of pharmacologic therapies targeting the complement cascade have created new opportunities to slow disease progression; however, these therapies are associated with an increased risk of neovascular complications and unanswered questions about which patients should be treated. To help specialists interpret and apply the growing body of evidence in patient selection practices, this point-counterpoint digital activity uses case-based discussions to frame differing perspectives around complex clinical questions, helping learners critically review the risk-benefit profiles of novel agents and optimally select GA patients who may qualify for treatment with the new complement inhibitors.
 
Through the point-counterpoint exchange, faculty will discuss the following:
 
  • Which patients could benefit from complement inhibition?
  • Are there predictive factors that can inform personalized medicine?
  • Has the efficacy of complement inhibitors been sufficiently demonstrated?
  • What unanswered questions remain about efficacy and safety of the complement inhibitors?
  • How should treatment response and adverse reactions be monitored?
  • What are the implications of treatment for patients who have yet to significantly progress, and what are the potential concerns?
  • Based on available evidence, when should patients be treated with complement inhibitors and for how long? 
 
Educational Partner: Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL)

Medium: Online Clinical Commentary

Commercial Support: Support for this activity has been provided through an educational grant from Astellas.

Target Audience

This program is intended for eye care specialists who treat geographic atrophy.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the pathophysiologic processes contributing to geographic atrophy (GA) development and progression;
  • Outline the clinical and patient factors associated with treatment decision-making;
  • Critically review clinical trials and discuss opportunities to apply evidence on complement inhibition for GA.
Additional information
ACGME/ABMS Core Competencies: 
Patient Care and Procedural Skills
Medical Knowledge
Practice-based Learning and Improvement
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
For more information, please contact:
CME Coordinator Contact Name: 
ACHL
CME Coordinator Contact Phone: 
877-444-8435 ext. 160

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Summary
Activity opens: 
05/30/2025
Activity expires: 
05/30/2026
FACULTY
Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS  (Chair and Moderator)
Mid Atlantic Retina, Wills Eye Hospital
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
 
Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS (Discussion Panelist)
Director, Duke Surgical Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program
Co-Director, Duke Pediatric Retina and Optic Nerve Center
Director, Duke Eye Center Continuing Medical Education
Professor of Ophthalmology
Duke University Eye Center
Durham, NC
 
Xiao Yi (Ellie) Zhou, MD (Discussion Panelist)
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology  
University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, IL 


Disclosure Declarations
As a provider accredited by the ACCME, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine asks everyone in a position to control the content of an education activity to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies. This includes any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Financial relationships are relevant if a financial relationship, in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company during the past 24 months, and the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any relevant financial relationships prior to the start of the activity.

Additionally, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine requires Authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration at first mention and where appropriate in the content.
Physician Credit
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
The University Of Chicago Pritzker School Of Medicine designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 
Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses may participate in this educational activity and earn a certificate of completion as AAPA, AANP, and ANCC accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through their reciprocity agreements.
Registration: To view this activity, visit the ACHL website.
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