Former English teacher and avid traveler Gail has packed a lot of adventure into her 85 years. From wandering through the pyramids of Egypt to marveling at the Parthenon’s ancient columns in Greece and admiring the famous Rock of Gibraltar along the southern Mediterranean coast, Gail has never turned down the chance to appreciate the world’s wonders.
Gail’s quest to understand the world around her has also been the driving force in her professional life. After years of teaching high school and college in the U.S. and abroad, Gail decided to explore a new curiosity by pursuing technical writing and editing courses, eager to sharpen her skills and delve into a different facet of the world’s richness.
But after years of living boldly, Gail began noticing changes in her vision. “I started seeing straight lines, like the frame around a window, as wavy,” Gail recalls. At 82 years old, her ophthalmologist confirmed she had dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her vision continued to deteriorate, and at age 84, her AMD progressed to the advanced form, geographic atrophy (GA), which can cause permanent vision loss.
The diagnosis left Gail worried about what her future would look like. “Like most people, I depend on my eyes to live independently and care for myself,” Gail says. “I am very much afraid of what life might be like without my eyesight.”
GA symptoms can begin subtly, as in Gail’s case, often leading people to mistake them for normal signs of aging. In the U.S., an estimated 1.5 million people have GA, and up to 75% may be undiagnosed. Some of the common signs include seeing washed-out colors, difficulty seeing in low light or at night, straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and blurriness or blank spots in the field of vision.
Fortunately, Gail’s son happens to be a retina surgeon. As soon as Gail let him know what was happening, he stepped in to help his mother understand her condition and treatment options. He also empowered her to do her own research so she could ultimately make her own choice about treatment. “Whenever a doctor asks me to make a decision, I ask what advice they’d give their own mother,” she says. “So, I asked my son the same question.”
Gail also considered the benefits and risks of treatment with her retina specialist, and along with her son, they agreed on a course of action. She decided to move forward with IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution), a prescription eye injection used to treat geographic atrophy (GA). IZERVAY was proven to slow GA progression in two clinical trials evaluating 624 people with GA. In just one year, IZERVAY slowed GA progression by 18% to 35% compared to those who were not treated.
“I still have too many things to see,” says Gail. “I still have books to read and theater to attend. And then there’s the simple joy of gazing into the faces of my grandchildren.”
Gail’s GA diagnosis has deepened her sense of gratitude — not only for her vision but for the close-knit circle of friends who have stood by her side. From driving Gail to her appointments for monthly IZERVAY injections to offering unwavering emotional support, her friends have been a steady source of strength and comfort.
Though she was initially apprehensive about undergoing treatment, Gail found the process more manageable over time, especially as she developed a stronger relationship and routine with her doctor. “While I was nervous at first, I continue to do my part in showing up every month,” she says.
Although Gail’s current life looks different from the years she spent traveling the world, she still considers herself to be the same bold woman — only with a new perspective on the type of “sightseeing” that truly matters at her stage. She remains hopeful that continued treatment will slow GA progression and allow her to hold onto her remaining eyesight for longer — cherishing the many milestones to come.
“I want to see my grandchildren wearing their caps and gowns as they graduate from high school and college,” Gail says. “I want to watch them get married, walking down the aisle toward their futures. I want to stare into the chubby little face of my first great-grandchild. I don’t want to take anything I can see now for granted.”
GA can affect anyone, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease, such as active smoking, cardiovascular disease or a family history of AMD. Regular eye examinations, especially for those 55 and over, can play a critical role in early detection and diagnosis of AMD, which may help patients partner on a care plan with their doctor as early as possible. Treatment with IZERAY can help slow the progression of GA, which may preserve vision for longer. If you notice any vision changes, talk to your doctor about GA.
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY 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).
What is the most important information I should know about IZERVAY?
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.
For more information on IZERVAY consult your eye care professional or visit IZERVAY.com.
