Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes progressive loss of central vision and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 in developed countries. Anti-VEGF injections transformed the treatment of wet AMD, and research now targets reducing injection burden and treating the dry form for which there are far fewer options.
What's actually going on in research
Complement pathway inhibitors are the first treatments to slow progression of geographic atrophy (advanced dry AMD), with pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol both showing benefit. High-dose anti-VEGF drugs like faricimab and the port delivery system are reducing injection frequency from monthly to every four to six months or longer. Gene therapy delivering continuous anti-VEGF production to the eye is in trials to potentially eliminate injections altogether.
Complement inhibitors for dry AMD
Drugs targeting the complement immune cascade that destroys retinal tissue in geographic atrophy — such as pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol — slow the growth of central vision loss.
Longer-acting anti-VEGF
Faricimab targets two pathways (VEGF and Ang-2) and allows 16-week dosing intervals. The port delivery system refills medication continuously, reducing the injection schedule further.
Gene therapy
Delivering anti-VEGF genes into retinal cells via viral vector injection aims to provide continuous drug production from a single treatment, eliminating the need for regular injections in wet AMD.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on AMD type (wet vs. dry/geographic atrophy), lesion size and location relative to the fovea, prior anti-VEGF treatment history, and visual acuity.
What types of trials are currently open
- Wet AMD treatment trials — Testing new anti-VEGF drugs, combinations, or delivery methods to reduce injection frequency while preserving vision.
- Dry AMD trials — Testing complement inhibitors and other agents to slow geographic atrophy progression.
- Gene therapy trials — Evaluating viral vector-based delivery of anti-VEGF or protective genes to the retina.
- Cell therapy trials — Testing retinal pigment epithelium cell transplantation for advanced dry AMD.
- Prevention trials — Testing nutritional supplements, lifestyle interventions, and early treatment in intermediate AMD.
Recently added Macular Degeneration trials
Defining Retinal Structures Using Hyperspectral Retinal Imaging
This study evaluates hyperspectral retinal imaging as a novel, non-invasive imaging technique to characterise retinal and optic nerve structures in healthy individuals and patients with eye disease. Hyperspectral imaging captures retinal data across multiple wavelengths to generate detailed spectral information that may reveal features not visible with conventional retinal photography. Approximately 1000 participants will undergo multi-modal ophthalmic imaging in Melbourne, Australia, including hyperspectral imaging, OCT, fundus photography, and related tests. The study aims to compare hyperspectral imaging with standard imaging methods and assess its ability to identify retinal biomarkers associated with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
Central micrOperimetry and Radial OCT Evaluation in Geographic Atrophy (CORE-GA): a Prospective Pilot Study
This study is being conducted to assess two imaging methods-central microperimetry and radial OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)-in patients with Geographic Atrophy (GA) or those who are at risk of developing this condition. The study team is trying to determine whether these methods can provide more accurate measurements of GA progression toward the foveal center, the central part of the retina responsible for your sharpest, most detailed vision.
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