Natural History of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (The OREO Study)

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this research is to answer the following questions: (1) Are changes in CC flow (CCF) specific to eyes with GA or can these be observed in age matched controls (2) if so, do such changes in CCF precede death of RPE and photoreceptors in patients with GA? (3) Are changes in retinal sensitivity in the transition zone of GA more sensitive to structural changes observed on OCT and OCTA compared to best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), FAF and low luminance BCVA.

Methods : We employ a prospective multi-center, observational study to evaluate the progression of dry AMD and geographic atrophy over a period of 48 weeks in the presence of an age matched control group (Figure 1). Sixty subjects with intermediate AMD (iAMD), geographic atrophy (GA) and age- matched controls will be enrolled (1:1:1). All subjects will be followed quarterly until week 48 (Figure 2).

Results : The study has received IRB approval, and recruitment began on September 1, 2012. As of December 4, 2022, 13 intermediate AMD and 7 control and 1 GA participant have been enrolled. We aim to finish enrollment by March 1, 2023.

Conclusions : Imaging and measurement of CC flow variation could inform the progression of AMD and early GA, and the role of choriocapillaris in the progression of the disease. Image guided MP could significantly reduce the duration of the test while increasing the specificity of the exam by focusing on the transition zone only. This information would be the first step towards establishing CC flow measurements as a potential early efficacy biomarker (or surrogate endpoint) in iAMD and/or GA and image guided MP as an alternate to BCVA.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.

 

Study Design

 

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