Living Fully with Geographic Atrophy

In life, it’s important to savor every moment.

Take Ken, a man from Reno who is living a full life at an age when most people would be long retired. Eleven years ago – at age 77 – he began working as an usher at a luxury movie theater. As a movie buff, Ken enjoys feeling part of the motion picture scene. At the theater, he loves greeting and connecting with guests, making many friends along the way. One morning in 2016, while going about his normal routine at work, he was standing right next to the theater’s huge, lighted IMAX® sign. Off to the right was a registered trademark logo with a relatively tiny “R” in it. Ken had glanced at that symbol daily for years, and that’s when he noticed something drastically off.

“With my right eye, I could not read the ‘R’ unless I moved my eye up and down or side to side,” recalls Ken. “I noticed waves in my vision and could tell right away that something was wrong. I was fortunate that it was a weekday, and doctors were available. I immediately called my optometrist, and by that evening at 6 p.m., I was in with a retina specialist.”

His vision loss didn’t come as a total surprise. Ken’s mother had lived with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), so he knew it was a possibility that it would impact his own vision one day. After his retina specialist confirmed his diagnosis of dry AMD, he explained the path forward, but by 2020, Ken’s dry AMD had advanced to geographic atrophy (GA), and he completely lost the central vision in his right eye.

What is geographic atrophy?

GA is the advanced form of dry AMD that leads to progressive and irreversible vision loss. In the U.S., 1.5 million people are estimated to have GA – up to 75% of whom are believed to be undiagnosed. GA often begins without noticeable symptoms, but common signs include:

• Seeing washed-out colors
• Blurriness or blank spots in the field of vision, making it difficult to recognize faces
• Difficulty seeing in low light or at night
• Straight lines that look wavy or crooked
• Loss of central vision, making it challenging to perform tasks like reading or driving

Ken’s path to treatment

Given the speed and unpredictability at which GA can progress, in 2023, Ken’s retina specialist explained the benefits and risks of treatment and suggested IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution), an FDA-approved prescription eye injection proven to help slow the progression of GA. It works by directly targeting overactive components of the immune system which may help protect healthy retinal cells and photoreceptors. His doctor explained that while there currently is no cure for GA, IZERVAY can slow the progression, which may preserve the vision Ken still has for longer. In two 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.

Do NOT receive IZERVAY if you have an infection in or around your eye, or if you have active swelling in or around your eye that may include pain and redness.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

The word “preserve” gave Ken hope that he may be able to maintain doing the things he values for longer. “I had optimism and full confidence in my doctor that I would be treated the best I possibly could with the new advancements,” says Ken, who’s been treated with IZERVAY for both eyes since 2023 on an ongoing basis. He stays on top of his appointments and reminds himself that every step he takes today is an investment in tomorrow – a way of choosing action, possibility and hope.

The owner of a cruise-booking company and still a part-time employee at the theater, Ken thrives on personal and professional interactions. He’s an active, relatable guy. He’s recently spent some time at golf courses in nearby Lake Tahoe and has vowed to continue improving his golf game in the upcoming year, hoping to one day play at Edgewood Country Club after taking some lessons. He admits he may need some extra help navigating the course, but he is up for the challenge.

IZERVAY can cause eye infection, retinal detachment, or increased risk of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Ken still carries hope since starting IZERVAY, saying, “I know the disease I have, and it’s being treated to the best of anyone's knowledge. While I know this has been my personal experience and individual experience may vary, I’m confident that it will remain stable for as long as possible.”

Ken considers himself lucky for finding a treatment like IZERVAY. His GA has slowed, thanks to early detection, his proactive approach to care, and a strong, open relationship with his retina specialist. “Getting diagnosed early has made all the difference in my journey, and I often think about how different things could have been if I had delayed,” he says. “Taking that first step, even when it feels daunting, can truly open the door to better possible outcomes.”

The most common side effects associated with IZERVAY are:

• Blood in the white of the eye
• Increase in eye pressure
• Blurred vision
• Wet age-related macular degeneration

Now age 88, Ken remains independent and is motivated to share his journey to inspire others. He’s looking forward to planning his 90th birthday celebration where he’ll toast with friends and family and share stories long into the night. “Because life isn’t about slowing down,” he says. “It’s about savoring every moment, believing in what comes next.”

This article reflects Ken’s experience at the time of printing.

Sponsored by Astellas. For U.S. Audiences Only.

MAT-US-IZE-2025-00661

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.