Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced and progressive form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that gradually affects central vision — the sharp, straight-ahead vision needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

For people diagnosed with GA, the future can feel uncertain. But learning more about the condition is a key step toward feeling informed, prepared, and empowered to take action.

Dr. Veeral Sheth, a retina specialist and director of clinical trials at University Retina in Chicago, shared answers to three of the most common questions he hears from people newly diagnosed with GA. Here’s what he had to say.

1. ‘Am I Going To Go Blind?’

One of the first and most urgent questions Dr. Sheth hears is whether GA leads to blindness. “When we talk about geographic atrophy, there’s often a lot of questions that come up. The first is this question of ‘Am I going to go blind?’” he said.

“GA impacts the centermost part of your vision, which is arguably the most important part. That's what you use to read, watch TV, or use a screen.”

— Dr. Veeral Sheth

His answer brings some reassurance: “The good news is that with geographic atrophy, you’re never going to wake up one day and say, I can’t see anything,” he explained. “It’s not something that blacks your vision out.”

The Importance of Central Vision

GA affects the macula, which is a critical part of the eye that’s responsible for seeing fine details straight ahead. “It does impact the centermost part of your vision, which is arguably the most important part. That’s what you use to read, watch TV, or use a screen,” Dr. Sheth said.

While peripheral (side) vision usually remains intact, the loss of central vision can make everyday activities more challenging.

As Dr. Sheth put it, “It is a very important vision.”

2. ‘How Fast Will My Geographic Atrophy Progress?’

Another big question Dr. Sheth often hears is, “How quickly will GA affect my vision?”

People ask questions like “What’s the timeline? How long do I have, or when am I going to have to worry about this?” he stated.

“We know that smoking can increase the risk of progression, and so that’s one of the first things I talk to patients about.”

— Dr. Veeral Sheth

The answer varies from person to person. “Depending on the individual and what we’re seeing in their eyes, we start to have that conversation of what the expectation and what type of management we need to look at,” he said.

What You Can Do To Slow the Progression of Geographic Atrophy

Some factors that influence the progression of GA are out of your control — but others aren’t. “There are a couple of things that can increase the risk of GA or the rate of progression of GA — some things that we have control over, and some things that we don’t,” Dr. Sheth explained.

Smoking is one controllable risk factor. “We know that smoking can really increase the risk of progression, and so that’s why that’s one of the first things I talk to patients about,” he said. “Patients want to know what they have control over and manage those aspects of their life.”

Nutrition may also play a role. “We know that there are certain antioxidants, lutein being one of them, that really helps slow down damage being done … in the macula,” he added.

Lutein is a plant compound that gives red and yellow fruits and vegetables their color. Health experts believe lutein supports healthy eyes by filtering blue light. It may also help with brain health.

Foods rich in lutein include:

• Broccoli
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Red peppers
• Egg yolks
• Oranges

3. ‘What Can I Do About My Geographic Atrophy?’

Another common question is, “Is there anything I can do about this?” While there’s no cure for GA, several treatment options can help slow its progression.

“We can’t stop the progression of the disease. But we can slow it down with some of these newer treatments.”

— Dr. Veeral Sheth

Dr. Sheth works with each person to find the best approach for their individual needs.

Lifestyle Changes and Treatment Options

“One is just lifestyle,” he noted. “That can help then set the stage for the next part of the conversation — what do we do?”

For some people, that next step includes medications, such as intravitreal injections — treatments delivered directly into the eye. These injections “can help slow down the progression of the macular degeneration,” he explained.

However, Dr. Sheth is careful to set realistic expectations. “We can’t stop the progression of the disease. Nothing can, no matter what we do. But we can slow it down with some of these newer treatments,” he said.

Be Involved in Your Care

Ultimately, Dr. Sheth encourages people to take an active role in their care. “I think it’s really important that patients understand their disease and take ownership of what's happening,” Dr. Sheth said.

Having that knowledge and involvement, he added, can “optimize your visual outcomes so that you’re remaining independent and you can do the things you want to do — whether that’s driving or reading or seeing the face of your children or grandchildren.”

Join the Conversation

On myAMDteam, people share their experiences with geographic atrophy and age-related macular degeneration, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your AMD journey? Let others know in the comments below.