Retinal atrophy progression varies widely between geographic atrophy and Stargardt disease

The progression rate of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy is faster in geographic atrophy (GA) compared to Stargardt disease (STGD1), with significant variability depending on the imaging technique used, according to a study.

The researchers analyzed data from 85 studies, including 7815 eyes with GA and 1367 eyes with STGD1. They found that the RPE atrophy progression rate was generally faster in GA compared to STGD1, with significant variability depending on the imaging modality used. For GA, the average atrophy growth rate was highest using color fundus photography at 1.76 mm²/year, followed by fundus autofluorescence at 1.65 mm²/year, and optical coherence tomography at 1.46 mm²/year. In contrast, STGD1 had a slower progression rate, with fundus autofluorescence showing an average of 1.0 mm²/year and optical coherence tomography at 0.80 mm²/year.

The study concluded that while GA exhibits a faster RPE atrophy rate than STGD1, the data varied widely across studies and imaging methods. In addition, the researchers noted that limited data were available for other macular IRDs, highlighting the need for further research in this area.

Reference
Bassil FL, Colijn JM, Thiadens AAHJ, et al. Progression rate of macular retinal pigment epithelium atrophy in geographic atrophy and selected inherited retinal dystrophies. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;S0002-9394(24)00352-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.07.035. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39153684.

This content is independent editorial sponsored by Astellas. Astellas had no input in the development of this content.