Prevent Blindness Offers GA Educational Materials

Prevent Blindness, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to eye health, has announced its fourth annual Geographic Atrophy (GA) Awareness Week, taking place from December 2–8, 2024. Geographic Atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), affects an estimated 1 million people in the United States.

To support individuals affected by GA and raise awareness, Prevent Blindness is providing free educational resources, programs, and expert guidance.

Educational Resources for Geographic Atrophy

Prevent Blindness offers a variety of free resources to educate and empower GA patients and their caregivers:

• Comprehensive Fact Sheets: Available in both English and Spanish.

• Social Media Graphics: Easily shareable educational materials.

• Dedicated Web Page: A hub for GA-related information.

• Expert Videos: Insights from leading specialists.

This initiative is supported by funding from Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Living Well With Low Vision

For individuals with GA or AMD, Prevent Blindness provides the Living Well With Low Vision program. This resource offers:

• A directory of services and self-help guides.

• Downloadable apps, including GuideME for AMD.

• Access to the latest clinical trial research.

• Up-to-date AMD research news.

Risk Factors for Geographic Atrophy

Although the exact cause of GA remains unknown, several factors may increase the risk:

• Family history of AMD.

• Age over 60 years.

• Race (higher prevalence among Caucasians).

• Light-colored eyes.

• Smoking.

• Genetics.

• Heart disease or diabetes.

• High blood pressure or high cholesterol.

• Obesity.

• High sun exposure over a lifetime.

• Poor diet, especially low intake of dark green leafy vegetables.

• Women not using menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Insights from the Focus on Eye Health Expert Series

To further inform patients and care partners, Prevent Blindness offers expert-led episodes in its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series:

Advancements in Treatments for Geographic Atrophy

Featuring Dr. Rajeev S. Ramchandran, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, this episode explores the latest developments in GA treatments.

Geographic Atrophy and Patient Support

Sherry Williams, Past President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio, shares her personal experience as a care partner for her mother diagnosed with GA.

Geographic Atrophy

Dr. Janet S. Sunness, Medical Director of the Richard E. Hoover Low Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, discusses GA in detail.

Vision Loss and Mental Wellness

Prevent Blindness also highlights the mental health challenges faced by individuals with vision loss through its Vision Loss and Mental Wellness resource. Loss of vision can lead to:

• Depression and anxiety.

• Feelings of isolation or loss of independence.

• Frustration with daily tasks requiring extra time and effort.

To combat these challenges, Prevent Blindness encourages GA patients to seek support groups and connect with others facing similar experiences.

A Message from Prevent Blindness

“This is an exciting time for research and treatment options for those with geographic atrophy,” said Jeff Todd, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We encourage patients to explore our resources and work closely with their eye doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan that can help preserve their vision.”

Prevent Blindness remains dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with GA and AMD through education, support, and advocacy. For more information, visit their website or explore the extensive resources provided.

References:

Fourth Annual Geographic Atrophy Awareness Week - Prevent Blindness. Prevent Blindness. Published November 26, 2024. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://preventblindness.org/geographic-atrophy-week-2024/