Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42814727›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

OphthoEvidence Report: Comparative effects of treatments for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration: A protocol for a living systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Maryam Ghadimi, Housne Begum, Dena Zeraatkar, Jinhui Ma, Sobha Sivaprasad, Enrico Borrelli, Peter Kaiser, David H Steel, Tien Yin Wong, Robyn Guymer and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Maryam GhadimiDivision of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Housne BegumDivision of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Dena ZeraatkarDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Jinhui MaDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8033-1699
Sobha SivaprasadNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8952-0659
Enrico BorrelliDepartment of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2815-5031
Peter KaiserCole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
David H SteelSunderland Eye Infirmary, National Health Service, Sunderland, United Kingdom.
Tien Yin WongSingapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, SingaporeSingapore.
Robyn GuymerCenter for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Charles C WykoffRetina Consultants of Texas, Retina Consultants of America, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7756-5091
Varun ChaudharyDivision of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9988-4146

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGeographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), leads to legal blindness in approximately 16% of affected individuals within 6 years. Numerous trials have evaluated interventions to slow GA progression, and many studies are ongoing. However, the comparative benefits and harms of treatments within this rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape have not yet been systematically synthesized.

objectivesTo present a protocol for a living systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) addressing the effects of available interventions for the management of GA.

methodsWe systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception for randomized controlled trials comparing any pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic treatment versus another, placebo, sham, or standard care in adults with unilateral or bilateral GA secondary to AMD. Paired reviewers will independently screen studies, extract data, and assess risk of bias. Outcomes of interest include best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), untransformed and square root-transformed total GA lesion area, vision-related quality of life, low luminance BCVA, reading speed, mean macular sensitivity, adverse events leading to discontinuation, macular neovascularization, need for rescue treatment, ischemic optic neuropathy, serious ocular adverse events, and serious non-ocular adverse events. For each outcome, if feasible, we will conduct frequentist random-effects NMAs. We will assess the certainty of evidence and interpret findings using the GRADE approach. To maintain this review as a living systematic review, we will conduct updates every six months. DISCUSSION: This review will provide a comprehensive, trustworthy, and up-to-date summary of evidence on treatments for GA secondary to AMD. REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/W4JHR).

Indexed as

Geographic AtrophyMacular DegenerationHumansNetwork Meta-Analysis as TopicQuality of LifeSystematic Reviews as TopicVisual Acuity

Identifiers

PMID42814727
PMCPMC13626355

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.