Sponsored by
For U.S. audiences only
Picture something that brings you joy. Maybe it’s the view from your back porch on a summer night. Maybe it’s your grandson’s smile. Maybe it’s your dog bounding up the stairs to greet you. While the moments we recall might look completely different for each of us, they likely have one thing in common: they’re things we can see. In fact, for most people, emotion, memory, and even identity are inherently tied to our ability to see. So what happens when that ability is taken away, or diminished, due to geographic atrophy (GA)?
GA is the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that can lead to irreversible vision loss, and evidence indicates that at least 40% of surveyed adults who lose their vision report a negative impact on their mental health*, including challenges such as depression and anxiety. Still, there may be hope with ways to adapt and navigate a GA diagnosis.
By staying proactive and informed about treatment options, you can better advocate for your health. This sense of control may also support mental well-being, especially given that GA can progress quickly for some people.
*Results from a telephone survey of 203 individuals with self-reported GA. Participants were compensated for their time and the survey was sponsored by a pharmaceutical company.
How vision loss can affect your mental health
When processing what vision loss may mean for your future, you may feel a sense of loss or grief. One GA patient shared how confusing and overwhelming the diagnosis felt, recalling, “Why is this happening? Why am I losing my eyesight? It was just really hard.”
As everyday tasks like driving, reading, or navigating your home become more difficult, it’s natural to feel frustrated or worried about relying on others. It’s normal to ask yourself questions like: Will I be able to live on my own? How long will I be able to see my loved ones’ faces?
Part of what makes a GA diagnosis so difficult is the possible loss of control you may suddenly feel over your future. But there is one thing you can control — deciding to seek help. In cases where medical intervention is possible, the sooner you see an eye doctor, the better.
After a GA diagnosis, starting treatment promptly may help preserve vision for longer and may ease anxiety about the future. And beyond medical care, there are practical steps and support systems that can make a meaningful difference — possibly for both your eye health and emotional well-being.
How to ask for support
Talking to your doctor about your mental health and finding the right caregivers can feel intimidating, but it’s an important step. Addressing the mental health impact of vision loss is just as important as addressing the physical symptoms. To make the conversation easier, here are some questions you might consider asking:
- What practical steps can I take to manage my GA and reduce stress?
- Do you have brochures, guides, or trusted resources where I can learn more about GA?
- Are there apps or tools you recommend?
- Are there communities or support groups for people like me?
Ways to seek help
Talking to a support group, therapist, and friends or family can help normalize the grief and anxiety that often follow vision loss. Some people find comfort in group therapy with peers who understand daily frustrations associated with vision loss, and many organizations offer both online and in-person support groups led by social workers.
Talking with a therapist provides a more personal option that can suit your unique needs, as they can provide a crucial listening ear and a safe space to discuss emotions, concerns, and the implications of the diagnosis.
If professional therapy feels out of reach, conversations with trusted friends and family members can help chip away at the isolation many people feel. The important thing is not to carry the weight alone.
How loved ones can create a supportive environment
You may feel like a burden to those around you, but most loved ones cherish the relationships with those they care for. Those who make up your support system may be the first to notice changes in your mental health and may help recognize the benefit from additional support.
Caregivers play a vital role in this process. They not only provide companionship and emotional support but also assist with essential home tasks, such as personal care and daily household chores. Their ability to listen, take notes, and ask questions you might not think of can be key to understanding the full picture of a diagnosis. Through clear communication and creating a safe, stable environment, caregivers foster trust and help ensure you feel heard.
Caregivers can also help make practical adjustments at home to reduce stress and improve safety. Brighter lighting, high-contrast tape on stairs, large-print labels, and clutter-free walkways can make moving through the house less intimidating.
Finally, it may also be helpful to prepare loved ones for the realities of vision loss. Encouraging family members to practice patience, avoid making assumptions, and respect autonomy can go a long way in helping you to maintain independence.
Familiarize yourself with accessible technology
Technology is playing an increasingly central role in bridging the gap between vision loss and independence. Whether you need more support navigating to a destination, reading, or enjoying another favorite activity, technology can lend a hand. There are a range of apps and tools that can help people with vision loss. Examples of these can be found from Prevent Blindness, Lighthouse Guild, and Foundation for Fighting Blindness.**
For many older adults, learning about accessible technology can feel daunting. But senior centers, public libraries, and even YouTube tutorials can provide step-by-step guidance.
**IZERVAY is not responsible for the content on these websites.
Talk to your doctor and consider if medical treatment is right for you
For years, there were no approved treatments for GA, and physicians and patients had very few courses of action beyond diet and vitamin regimens. But in 2023, the FDA approved IZERVAY® (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution), a prescription eye injection that can slow GA progression. IZERVAY protects remaining healthy retinal cells by blocking destructive proteins and has been proven to slow GA progression. Since there’s no way to regain these retinal cells once they’ve been destroyed, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any vision changes as soon as possible.
Don't take IZERVAY if you have an infection or active swelling in or around your eye. IZERVAY can cause eye infection, retinal detachment, or increased risk of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). IZERVAY may temporarily increase eye pressure. Do not drive or use machinery until vision has recovered after an eye injection or exam. Please see the additional Important Safety Information below.
With mental health support, along with treatment options like IZERVAY, people with GA may be able to preserve their vision for longer and some may continue to live vibrant, active lives. There is power in taking action. Life with GA can and should remain rich — it may just look different.
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do NOT receive IZERVAY if you:
- Have an infection in or around your eye
- Have active swelling in or around your eye that may include pain and redness
IZERVAY can cause serious side effects:
- Eye injections like the one for IZERVAY can cause an eye infection (endophthalmitis) or separation of layers of the retina (retinal detachment).
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have redness of the eye, eye pain, increased discomfort, worsening eye redness, blurred or decreased vision, an increased number of small specks floating in your vision, flashes of light, or increased sensitivity to light.
- There is a risk of developing wet AMD with IZERVAY. You should report any symptoms (visual distortions such as straight lines seeming bent, deterioration in vision, dark spots, loss of central vision) to your healthcare provider to monitor.
- IZERVAY may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure after the injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor this after each injection.
Before receiving IZERVAY tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you:
- Have a history of seeing flashes of light or small specks floating in your vision and if you have a sudden increase of size and number of these specks.
- Have high pressure in the eye or if you have glaucoma.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
- Are taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider about any medicine you take.
What should I avoid while receiving IZERVAY?
- Your vision may be impaired after receiving an eye injection or after an eye exam. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision has recovered sufficiently.
What are the most common side effects of IZERVAY?
- Blood in the white of the eye
- Increase in eye pressure
- Blurred vision
- Wet age-related macular degeneration
These are not all the possible side effects of IZERVAY. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for more information.
What is IZERVAY?
IZERVAY (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) is a prescription eye injection, used to treat geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
For more information on IZERVAY consult your eye care professional or visit IZERVAY.com.
##
