Kim A, Devine B, Campbell J, et al. - Using claims data from IQVIA’s PharMetrics Plus database, researchers conducted this retrospective analysis to describe the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with increasing severity levels of geographic atrophy (GA). Between October 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, patients with a prevalent GA diagnosis were identified and classified by disease severity and laterality. In total, 28,773 GA cases were identified (mean age = 68.7; 58.5% female), of which 24% and 76% had unilateral and bilateral GA, respectively, with varying levels of recorded severity (in increasing order): early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration, GA without subfoveal involvement, and GA with subfoveal involvement. The study's findings show that patients with more severe GA at baseline have higher HCRU and costs in the outpatient setting. Further research should be conducted to investigate specific factors that contribute to the long-term economic burden of GA.