Geographic Atrophy (GA) Clinical Trials and Treatments

Geographic atrophy is the late-stage form of dry age-related macular degeneration, distinct from the wet (neovascular) form. It is characterized by well-demarcated areas of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy in the macula, the central region of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. As RPE cells degenerate, the overlying photoreceptors lose metabolic support and die, creating expanding zones of irreversible vision loss.

The most common symptoms of Geographic Atrophy include Dark or blank spots in the center of vision, Difficulty reading or seeing fine details, Colors appearing drab or less vibrant, Difficulty seeing in dim lighting, Gradual loss of central vision sharpness, among others. Approximately 1 million people in the U.S.; affects about 20% of those with age-related macular degeneration. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary between individuals.

Trial Friend lists all active clinical trials for Geographic Atrophy from ClinicalTrials.gov, with eligibility criteria translated into plain English. Patients can filter by trial phase and recruitment status, search by location, and use the Match Me tool to score trials against their profile. Geographic atrophy treatment is a rapidly evolving field with 2 FDA-approved complement inhibitors, both given as injections into the eye: pegcetacoplan (Syfovre), approved in February 2023, and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay), approved in August 2023. Multiple next-generation approaches are in clinical trials.

Yes. As of September 2026, Trial Friend lists 1 FDA-approved drug used to treat Geographic Atrophy: Izervay (avacincaptad pegol), first approved in 2023.

Each has its own page with what the label covers, side effects and how it is given, and the Treatments section of this page adds any further approved drugs found in FDA labeling data.

The exact cause of Geographic Atrophy is not fully understood. It is not caused by a single gene; inherited variants raise risk, and immune, environmental or other triggers are thought to set it off. CFH and the ARMS2/HTRA1 region are the strongest risk loci for age-related macular degeneration, alongside age and smoking; no diagnostic gene test exists. Approximately 1 million people in the U.S.; affects about 20% of those with age-related macular degeneration. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease mechanism.

No single gene test diagnoses Geographic Atrophy. The diagnosis rests on clinical findings and laboratory or imaging results; genetic variants shift risk rather than cause the disease. CFH and the ARMS2/HTRA1 region are the strongest risk loci for age-related macular degeneration, alongside age and smoking; no diagnostic gene test exists.

Some trials collect genetic samples for research or check specific risk markers. The Genetic Testing section of this page shows any tests listed in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry, which for this condition are usually research or risk-marker tests rather than diagnostic ones.

Eligibility for Geographic Atrophy clinical trials depends on factors like age, diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Each trial sets its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. Trial Friend translates these requirements from medical language into plain English so patients can review them more easily. The Match Me tool can score your profile against active trials to help identify studies that may be a fit.

Participating in a Geographic Atrophy clinical trial typically involves scheduled visits, medical tests, and close monitoring by a research team. Depending on the study phase, you may receive an investigational treatment, a placebo, or the current standard of care. Trials may last from a few weeks to several years. Study participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.