Which layer features are associated with faster progression in GA?

Faster progression in geographic atrophy (GA) is particularly associated with changes observed in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) features. The outer nuclear layer is critical because it contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors, which are essential for vision. Pathological changes such as thinning or loss of cells in this layer can indicate more advanced degeneration and correlate with rapid disease progression.

As these cells degenerate and their function declines, it often signifies an underlying progression of atrophic lesions in GA. The health of the outer nuclear layer can have a direct impact on visual function, and its degradation typically parallels a quicker deterioration in visual acuity in patients. This makes the ONL features a key focus for clinicians monitoring the progression of GA.

Other layers in the retina, though important in their own right, do not show the same strong correlation with rapid GA progression as the outer nuclear layer.