General
Domains: Clinical practice, Communication
No CPD Points
Welcome to Docet’s podcast Sound Optometry, hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with 20 years’ experience on the high street and in hospital. Each month, with case studies and in-depth conversations, we will be exploring topics that matter the most to you as optometrists and are relevant for everyday practice.
Episode 35 - AMD: Hope on the horizon
Geographic atrophy (GA) is considered the late stage of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it is less common than neovascular AMD, it affects more than five million people worldwide.
Currently, there is no approved or effective therapy in the UK to prevent the progression of late-stage dry AMD. However, potential therapies are currently undergoing review by the MHRA and NICE and may potentially be available to patients in the not too distant future.
Podcast host Michelle Hanratty meets with optometrist Bradley Warwick and one of his patients, Martin, who has geographic atrophy. Together, they demonstrate the real benefit to patients that regular monitoring can provide.
The second part of the podcast moves on to look at the exciting developments in the therapeutic treatment of dry AMD. Consultant ophthalmologist Clare Bailey provides an overview of the current therapies that may become available to patients with geographic atrophy. The risks and benefits of treatment are discussed, and Clare explains the important role that community optometrists will have in the identification and referral of patients who may be suitable for these new treatments.
An additional reading element consolidates the learning on this topic.
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First published: January 2024
Last reviewed: December 2024