Geographic atrophyoccurs in the late stage ofage-related macular degeneration(AMD).
It is linked to several risk factors including advanced age, family history, and cigarette smoking.
However, the precise mechanism by which this happens is unclear.
Vlada Milosavljevic / 500px / Getty Images
Scientists think that a variety of factors are at play.
Age and family history are the most significant risk factors.
Geneticsalso appears to play a role.
If this system is not functioning correctly, inflammation can occur.
In turn, the inflammation may make the eye more vulnerable to geographic atrophy.
The condition usually affects people over the age of 60.
It’s thought that cumulative damage can lead to chronic inflammation that ultimately causes the retinal cells to die.
The retinal pigment epithelium does not regenerate quickly, leaving it particularly vulnerable to progressive cell loss over time.
However, not all cases of AMD progress to late-stage geographic atrophy.
In CNV, something spurs the eye to grow newbut abnormally leakyblood vessels.
Other genes are also thought to be related to geographic atrophy.
There could also be other genes involved in the risk of geographic atrophy that researchers have yet to identify.
Chemicals that the body absorbs from smoking can travel to the retina and damage it.
This might be more harmful to some people than others, which points to a potential genetic link.
While the exact genetic mechanism is not yet known, it is clear that there is a hereditary component.
Having specific genes may make you more vulnerable to the condition.
2017;37(5):819-835. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000001392
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Geographic atrophy.
2017;58(14):6513-6528. doi:10.1167/iovs.17-23544
Bright Focus Foundation.Smoking and age-related macular degeneration.
