Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy: Earlier Intervention and New Management Approaches

Activity Description

This group of retinal disease experts came together to establish a set of best practices for caring for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA), especially for optometrists who do not specialize in retinal disease. To guide the conversation, the group answered a set of survey questions prior to the panel discussion. The results of the survey are discussed throughout this paper. The individual approaches to patient care are similar but there are some strategic differences that align with specific practice settings, patient populations and years of experience.

Accreditation Statements

Sponsored by

NSUOCO

Axiom Ophthalmic, LLC is a COPE-Approved Administrator.

This activity, COPE Activity Number TBD, is accredited by COPE for continuing education for optometrists. This course is approved for 1.50 hours of CE.

Course # 104023-TD
Activity #: 132725

COPE advises optometrists to contact the State or Provincial Board where they are licensed for verification of what is acceptable for license renewal.

Release Date: 04-30-2026
Expiration Date: 04-30-2027

Target Audience

This accredited educational activity is designed for optometrists.

Grant Support Statement

This activity is supported by unrestricted educational grants from Apellis Pharmaceuticals and Carl Zeiss Meditec.

Faculty

Mary Beth Yackey, OD

Program Chair
Cincinnati Eye Institute/EyeCare Partners
Batavia, Ohio

Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO

Faculty
University of Miami Health System
Miami, Florida

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO

Faculty
Charles Retina Institute
Germantown, Tennessee

Julie Rodman, OD, MS, FAAO

Faculty
NSU Eye Institute
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Program Description

Geographic atrophy (GA) is more common, more treatable, and more frequently missed than most optometrists realize.

Axiom Ophthalmic brought together four retinal disease specialists to cut through the complexity of dry AMD and GA management — from early detection and multimodal imaging to OCT biomarkers, co-management protocols, and the latest on complement inhibitors and photobiomodulation. Grounded in real patient cases and survey-driven consensus, this resource provides optometrists with the clinical confidence to identify GA earlier, communicate its impact clearly, and act before vision loss is irreversible.

Expert Faculty

Mary Beth Yackey, OD (Program Chair)
Mark T. Dunbar, OD, FAAO
Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO
Julie Rodman, OD, MS, FAAO

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

Understand risk factors for dry AMD and GA and their impact on anatomical and functional outcomes
Describe the need for earlier intervention of dry AMD and GA
Summarize diagnostic tools and how to integrate multi-modal diagnostic strategies
Identify and integrate criteria for disease progression to GA
Achieve optimal management of GA with co-managing ophthalmologists

Credit Designation

This enduring educational activity is eligible for COPE-accredited continuing education credit.

Credit Hours: 1.5

1 - Introduction - Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy: Earlier Intervention and New Management Approaches
2 - Activity - Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy: Earlier Intervention and New Management Approaches
3 - Evaluation - Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy: Earlier Intervention and New Management Approaches

Progress