Adapting to life with GA: Ann’s story of resilience and hope
(BPT) - Changes in eyesight and vision loss can be a significant factor in the decrease of independence for some aging adults. One common cause is Geographic Atrophy (GA), which affects 1 in 29 people over the age of 75 - which is roughly 1.5 million people in the United States alone.
GA is the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where the growth of lesions - or patches of damaged cells - cause irreversible damage to the retina and progressively impairs central vision. This can make everyday activities like reading, driving, cooking, and recognizing familiar faces increasingly difficult.
One woman's journey with GA offers inspiration and motivation for those impacted by the condition. For Ann, a proud Orioles fan from Baltimore, Maryland, a GA diagnosis immediately raised concerns about losing her independence.
"I'm a pretty independent person by nature and always have been. And I don't want to lose that. I don't want to be dependent on other people, at least not for everything."
Adapting to change with smart strategies
Adjusting to life with GA has been a journey of creativity and resilience for Ann. As her vision deteriorated, she found ways to adapt her approach to daily life. She embraced tools and techniques to preserve her independence and help her face each day with confidence.
Ann uses visibility markers such as brightly colored stickers throughout her home - including on her microwave, computer, washing machine, and dryer - to help her identify key functions. She even added a distinctive cover to her house key to distinguish it from others. "It's about finding simple solutions that make life easier and help me stay independent," she says. Other small changes have made a significant impact: utilizing voice assistants to read emails and articles aloud, adjusting device settings to enlarge fonts, installing brighter lighting throughout her home, and labeling and organizing household items to locate them more easily.
"I can accommodate the loss or dimming of my sight," Ann says. "There are things people with GA, like me, can do to adapt, and we can still do the things we enjoy."
Finding a treatment option with SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection) 15mg/0.1mL
In addition to lifestyle adjustments, Ann sought support through medical innovation. After speaking with her retina specialist about treatment options, she learned about SYFOVRE®, an FDA-approved treatment from Apellis Pharmaceuticals proven to slow the progression of GA lesions caused by dry AMD. Together, they carefully considered the safety and efficacy of SYFOVRE before reaching the decision to proceed with treatment.
SYFOVRE works by regulating an overactive part of the eye's immune system that contributes to GA progression. While it doesn't restore lost vision, it can help slow the progression of GA. Ann receives SYFOVRE in each eye every other month, which works for her schedule. Only SYFOVRE slows GA in as few as 6 doses a year. Your retina specialist will decide how often you received SYFOVRE (once every 25 to 60 days).
Please continue reading for Important Safety Information for SYFOVRE.
Hope for the future
Ann's story is one of resilience and hope, demonstrating how a combination of a positive mindset and finding new ways to adapt to daily life can help individuals maintain a meaningful and engaged life despite the challenges of living with GA.
In addition, SYFOVRE has been another powerful part of her journey. "Knowing that I have a treatment that can help slow GA progression makes me feel more in control," she says. "It's empowering to know that I am doing what I can to slow my GA progression."
Ann doesn't let GA define her. "I remain hopeful and wake up every day doing my best to enjoy life," she says, proudly.
For more information about Geographic Atrophy and SYFOVRE, visit https://syfovre.com/.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is SYFOVRE?
SYFOVRE is a prescription eye injection, used to treat GA, the dry advanced form of AMD.
Who should NOT receive SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection)?
Do not receive SYFOVRE if you have an infection or active swelling in or around your eye that may include pain and redness, or are allergic to pegcetacoplan or any ingredients in SYFOVRE. SYFOVRE can cause serious allergic reactions such as trouble breathing, tongue, face, lips, or mouth swelling, rashes, and hives.
SYFOVRE can cause serious side effects:
- Eye infection (endophthalmitis) or separation of layers of the retina (retinal detachment).
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have eye redness, light sensitivity, eye pain, or any change in vision including blurred, wavy/distorted vision, small specks floating in your vision, or flashing lights.
- Severe inflammation of vessels in the retina which may result in severe vision loss. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have eye redness, light sensitivity, eye pain, or any change in vision including blurred, wavy/distorted vision, or flashing lights.
- Risk of developing wet AMD. You should be monitored for signs of wet AMD and you should report if you have any change in vision including blurred, wavy/distorted vision, black spots, or loss of central vision to your healthcare provider.
- Episodes of eye inflammation. You should report any symptoms including eye redness, light sensitivity, eye pain, small specks floating in your vision, or any changes in vision to your healthcare provider.
- Increase in eye pressure within minutes of the injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor this after each injection.
Before receiving SYFOVRE:
- Tell your healthcare provider if any of the following applies to you:
- If you have a history of seeing flashes of light or small specks floating in your vision and notice a sudden increase of size and number of these specks.
- If you have high pressure in the eye or glaucoma.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including
- If you are, or think you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What should I avoid while receiving SYFOVRE?
- After an injection or an eye exam, your eyesight may temporarily be impaired. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision recovers.
What are the most common side effects of SYFOVRE?
- Eye discomfort
- Wet age-related macular degeneration
- Small specks floating in vision
- Blood in the white of the eye
These are not all the possible side effects of SYFOVRE. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
For full Prescribing Information, visit https://pi.apellis.com/files/PI_SYFOVRE.pdf
©2025 Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 05/2025 US-PEGGA-2500155 v1.0
Source: BrandPoint
