Real-World Study Finds New Dry AMD Therapies Do Not Increase Treatment Burden for Wet AMD
Key Insights
A study presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Prague examined whether newer dry AMD treatments increase the treatment burden for patients concurrently receiving therapy for wet AMD.
Researchers found that adding newer dry age-related macular degeneration (search) therapies did not appear to increase the treatment burden for the wet form of the disease.
The findings address a critical knowledge gap, as many patients experience both wet and dry AMD simultaneously, yet little prior research has examined how these therapies interact.
A medical student from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (search) (OUWB) presented research at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Prague that could help retina specialists make more informed treatment decisions for patients living with two of the most common causes of age-related vision loss. The study, selected for a podium presentation following a highly competitive peer-review process, focused on patients with both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (search) (AMD).
The congress drew more than 6,000 attendees from around the globe, providing an international platform for the findings.
Addressing a Critical Clinical Knowledge Gap
Wet and dry AMD are among the leading causes of vision loss in older adults, and the two conditions frequently occur together in the same eye. While new treatments for the advanced dry form of the disease have become available only in recent years, little research has examined how those therapies affect patients who are already receiving treatment for wet AMD.
"Our study looked at whether adding one of these newer treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (search) increased the treatment burden for the wet form," said Shayaan Aqil, the OUWB M3 student who led the research. "We found that it did not appear to increase the treatment burden, which provides reassuring real-world evidence for retina specialists treating these patients."
The findings address an important gap in clinical knowledge, particularly because many patients experience both forms of the disease simultaneously. Although the medications examined are currently approved in the United States, many countries have not yet approved them, making the research relevant to physicians preparing for future treatment decisions worldwide.
Collaborative Research Effort
The project was completed in collaboration with Viet Chau, M.D., and Jeremy Wolfe, M.D., with additional internationally recognized retina specialists from Associated Retinal Consultants (search) contributing to the manuscript. The research team is preparing the study for submission to Ophthalmology, the flagship journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Aqil credits OUWB and its partnerships with Corewell Health and Associated Retinal Consultants (search) for making such opportunities possible. As part of OUWB's clinical research opportunities, students work alongside practicing physicians and specialists, allowing them to contribute to meaningful projects while still in medical school.
International Recognition and Broader Implications
The presentation session was moderated by Tao Ma, M.D., and Wafa Amri, Ph.D., two respected leaders in ophthalmology who engaged with the research during the discussion period. Beyond presenting his own work, Aqil attended presentations on new surgical techniques and innovations, including advancements such as the Unity surgical platform.
"As a medical student, being able to contribute to research that could help physicians make treatment decisions is incredibly rewarding," said Aqil. "Meeting experts from around the world and seeing how international collaboration advances patient care has been one of the most valuable parts of this experience."
The real-world evidence provided by this study offers retina specialists reassurance that incorporating newer dry AMD therapies into treatment regimens for patients with coexisting wet AMD does not appear to compound the therapeutic burden—an insight with immediate clinical relevance as these medications gain regulatory approval in additional countries.