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Struggling to drive at night, needing brighter light to read, or finding everyday tasks harder than they used to be? These could be signs of geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that can lead to irreversible vision loss.
What makes GA especially concerning is that it may advance quickly. Symptoms may be mild or even absent until significant vision loss occurs. In fact, one survey showed 77 percent of patients say their vision was impacted faster than expected, underscoring the importance of early detection.*
If tasks that once felt routine are now a challenge, don’t wait. Regular monitoring and early intervention are your best defense — which may help you preserve your sight and maintain independence for as long as possible. Your vision matters. Speak up.
When to speak up
GA typically affects adults over 55. So, if you’re in the right age bracket, it’s smart to stay vigilant. Symptoms can vary widely, and in some cases, may not appear at all. However, the most common signs to watch for include:
- Blurry or fuzzy central vision that makes reading or recognizing faces harder.
- Blind spots or dark patches in the center of your vision.
- Distorted shapes, like straight lines appearing wavy.
- Colors that look dull or faded.
- Trouble seeing in dim light, especially indoors or at night.
If you notice any of these changes, even if they’re subtle, make an appointment with an eye doctor. They can help you determine the cause and refer you to a retina specialist if needed.
How to speak up
Staying informed starts with asking the right questions. These conversations can help you take control of your eye health and make confident decisions about your care. Consider asking your eye doctor:
- What changes in my vision should I watch for at home?
- Given my health and family history, am I at increased risk for dry AMD or GA?
- How often should I schedule follow-up exams to monitor progression?
- If I have dry AMD, how quickly could it progress to GA?
- If I have GA, am I a candidate for treatment?
Prepare for your appointment in advance
Dealing with vision changes can be stressful, so it’s understandable that you might have trouble remembering everything you need to flag to your eye doctor. It is important to prepare yourself beforehand to ensure your eye doctor understands your specific concerns and symptoms accurately.
These tips can help you get your point across and provide your doctor with an understanding of how your vision loss has progressed:
- Be precise: Instead of saying “my vision is blurry,” describe when it happens (e.g., while reading, in low light), whether it affects one or both eyes, and if it’s constant or intermittent.
- Use descriptions: Say things like “I see a shadow in the center of my vision” or “straight lines look wavy” to describe distortion or blind spots.
- Mention all symptoms: Even if they seem unrelated, like headaches or dizziness, they may help your eye doctor identify underlying issues.
- Bring a symptom diary: Track what you see, when it happens, and what you were doing at the time. This helps identify patterns. Record symptoms like difficulty reading, recognizing faces, or seeing in dim light. Include time of day and activity.
- Note functional changes: Write down tasks that are becoming harder — like cooking, driving, or navigating stairs.
- Use an Amsler grid: This simple chart helps detect new blind spots or distortion. Check it weekly and note any changes.
- Be prepared to answer questions:
- When did you first notice your vision condition?
- Does the condition affect one or both eyes?
- Do you have trouble seeing things near to you, at a distance, or both?
- Do you smoke or did you use to smoke? If so, how often? What types of foods do you eat? Do you have other medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes?
- Do you have a family history of macular degeneration?
What treatment options are available?
While there’s currently no cure for GA, there are treatments that can help slow its progression. One option is IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution), an FDA-approved prescription eye injection that slows GA progression. In 2 clinical trials of 624 people, IZERVAY was proven to slow GA progression by 18%– 35% in one year compared to those who were not treated.
What can I expect when receiving IZERVAY?
If you’re a candidate for IZERVAY, you’ll receive a monthly eye injection at your retina specialist’s office. The procedure itself takes just a few seconds, and your doctor will try to make it as comfortable as possible: Before the injection, they’ll carefully clean and numb your eye to reduce discomfort. You may feel pressure in your eye, but most people report little to no pain. Afterward, you might experience temporary side effects like redness, blurry vision, or a brief increase in eye pressure. Your retina specialist will give you clear post-treatment instructions, which are important to follow closely — and call right away if you notice anything unusual.
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 full Important Safety Information below.
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.
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*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.
