The presence of geographic atrophy in one eye is a strong predictor of what in the fellow eye?

The presence of geographic atrophy (GA) in one eye is indeed a strong predictor of the same condition occurring in the fellow eye. Geographic atrophy is a late-stage manifestation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by the loss of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors, leading to progressive vision loss.

When GA is observed in one eye, it suggests that the degenerative processes affecting the retinal tissue are already underway, making it likely that similar changes could develop in the contralateral eye. Studies have shown that individuals with unilateral GA have a significantly higher risk of developing GA in the fellow eye over time due to similar genetic, environmental, and aging factors contributing to AMD. This predictive relationship is crucial for monitoring and managing patients at risk for further visual impairment.

In contrast, while dry AMD and advanced AMD are related conditions, they do not specifically indicate the likelihood of developing GA in the fellow eye as precisely as the direct presence of GA does.