Dopaminergic Therapies May Decrease Risk of Early and Intermediate Non-exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration Progression.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, with progression to geographic atrophy (GA) posing a significant challenge. This study aimed to assess whether dopaminergic therapies (DMTs) reduce risk of AMD progressing to GA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health records of 320 patients (449 eyes) with early or intermediate nonexudative AMD at Duke Eye Center from 2014 to 2024. Of these, 80 patients (110 eyes) were on DMTs, and 240 (339 eyes) served as controls. GA progression was evaluated annually over 5 years. RESULTS: GA progression was lower in the DMT group across all intervals, with lifetime rates of 9.4% in the non-DMT group versus 2.7% in the DMT group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed a significant protective effect (odds ratio 0.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DMTs may significantly reduce risk of AMD progressing to GA, warranting further research. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025;56:416-421.].

Duke Scholars

Author Sharon Fekrat Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery

Author Sandra Sue Stinnett Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics

Author Dilraj Singh Grewal Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery