What to Know About Aging Parents and Vision Loss

(BPT) – Throughout childhood, parents often embody a sense of invincibility, tirelessly providing care and support—whether tending to a scraped knee, enthusiastically cheering at athletic events or whipping up comfort meals during times of illness. Yet, as time progresses and parents age, the mantle of support and caregiving inevitably transitions to the next generation.One of the most impactful ways to assist aging parents is through vigilant health advocacy, with particular emphasis on eye health, a crucial component of maintaining independence. Vision plays a vital role in performing everyday tasks—like reading street signs, preparing breakfast and driving to appointments—while also enriching the experience of life’s pleasures.Although vision changes are often associated with aging, they may also serve as indicators of more serious conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can advance to a condition known as geographic atrophy (GA).What Is Geographic Atrophy and How to Spot It?GA is a progressive eye disease that causes cells in the retina to die, leading to the formation of lesions that cause irreversible vision loss. In the U.S., an estimated 1.5 million people have GA, and up to 75% may be undiagnosed.”When speaking to my patients, I often compare GA to dry patches on a lawn,” says Priya Vakharia, MD, FASRS, Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. “Your retina is like a backyard, and dry patches of grass are like dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the retina. As those dry patches spread, vision loss may progress, and that’s how GA shows up.”Subtle signs may be an early indicator of GA, such as less confidence while driving, difficulty reading or struggling to recognize the faces of close family members and friends. These gradual changes can be difficult to observe, yet they underscore the importance of taking proactive measures for eye care.Other common symptoms of GA may include:Seeing washed-out colorsDifficulty seeing in low light or at nightStraight lines that look wavy or crookedBlurriness or blank spots in the central field of vision”Don’t ignore vision loss in your loved ones just because they are getting older. They may have vision loss because of geographic atrophy,” says Dr. Vakharia.How To Support Loved Ones Experiencing Vision Changes: Initiate conversations about eye health early and often.Understand family health history. GA can affect anyone, but it typically affects those over 55 and certain factors like smoking, cardiovascular disease and a family history of AMD can increase risk.Encourage regular eye exams (at least once per year) to detect changes early.Research and discuss treatment options with an eye care professional.”Proactivity is key–everyone should get their eyes checked annually. Luckily, we now have treatments for GA that may help slow the disease progression,” says Dr. Vakharia. “The best piece of advice I can give is to encourage your loved one to talk to their retinal specialist and see if they’re a candidate for a treatment like IZERVAY.”IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) is an FDA-approved treatment for GA, the advanced form of AMD. 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.Navigating aging with a loved one may come with challenges. But by staying informed, encouraging regular eye exams and exploring available treatment options, families can help their loved ones proactively manage their eye health.INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONWhat 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 eyeHave active swelling in or around your eye that may include pain and rednessIZERVAY 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 eyeIncrease in eye pressureBlurred visionWet age-related macular degenerationThese 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.