Prevent Blindness has designated Dec. 1-7 as the fifth annual Geographic Atrophy (GA) Week, aiming to raise awareness about an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The nonprofit offers free resources eyecare professionals can share with their patients, including fact sheets, a dedicated webpage, social media materials in English and Spanish, and a series of expert and patient videos.
GA affects more than 8 million people globally and about 1 million in the U.S., accounting for roughly 20% of all AMD cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
GA can lead to a range of changes in vision, such as difficulty seeing in the center of one’s field of view, trouble reading, a dim or dark spot in central vision, issues with low-light environments, and diminished color clarity. In its early stages, GA may present no noticeable symptoms, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
“Geographic atrophy can profoundly affect the independence and quality of life of millions of patients and their families,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our goal…is to bring GA into the spotlight—ensuring people recognize the symptoms, understand their options, and feel empowered to seek care earlier.”
Prevent Blindness recently hosted an online community forum titled “Geographic Atrophy: Knowledge, Hope, and Help,” designed for individuals diagnosed with GA and their care partners. The forum, which is available to view online, included an overview of GA, patient experiences, and information on available support resources.
Additional educational content from the organization includes episodes of the Focus on Eye Health Series, featuring discussions on GA treatments, patient support, and clinical perspectives.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that 1 in 4 adults with vision loss report experiencing anxiety or depression. Prevent Blindness offers mental wellness resources through its Living Well With Low Vision program and encourages individuals with vision loss and their care partners to seek mental health support and connect with peer support groups.