Abstract
Purpose :
The aim of this study is to assess, through a written questionnaire, ophthalmologists’ and optometrists’ attitudes, perceptions, and referral patterns in GA prior to the pending FDA decision on pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol’s new drug application.
Methods :
In September and October 2022, US injecting ophthalmologists (n=81), non-injecting ophthalmologists (n=50) and optometrists (n=50) completed a 45-minute on-line survey reporting on the GA landscape. Physicians were required to be in practice between 1 and 40 years, spend at least 50% of their professional time in clinical practice seeing patients, and not be pediatric-focused.
Results :
86% of injecting ophthalmologists (IO) and 84% non-injecting ophthalmologists (NIO) feel there is a great unmet need for GA patients while 54% of optometrists (O) feel the same. 69% (IO), 62% (NIO), and 76% (O) recognize the importance of treating GA early. 32% (NIO) and 36% (O) would refer a patient within the first month of diagnosis, 15% (IO) would treat within the same timeframe. 44% (IO), 50% (NIO), and 60% (O) feel it is extremely important to convince asymptomatic GA patients to receive treatment while 33% (IO), 24% (NIO), and 26% (O) feel patients are extremely likely to receive treatment when asymptomatic. If treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the same eye as GA, 37% (IO) would treat on separate dosing schedules while 36% (IO) would combine treatment; the remainder need more information. 68% (IO) and 62% (IO) are aware of pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol respectively when aided. Of those aware, 47% (IO) are extremely familiar with pegcetacoplan and 37% (IO) with avacincaptad pegol.
Conclusions :
Optometrists do not report as high of a degree of unmet need in GA as ophthalmologists but are more likely to refer and suggest treatment early and are less optimistic regarding asymptomatic GA patients’ willingness to receive treatment. Injecting ophthalmologists are divided on how to handle patients who need both GA and nAMD treatments and are not yet highly aware of or familiar with the pipeline agents.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.