Prevent Blindness delegates first week of December as 5th annual geographic atrophy week | Ophthalmology Times

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Marina April)

Prevent Blindness has declared the first week of December as its 5th annual geographic atrophy (GA) week to educate the public and raise awareness. The Cleveland Clinic states that more than 8 million people in the world and around 1 million people in the United States have GA.

To help with education and awareness, Prevent Blindness is providing free, expert-approved educational resources on GA. These materials include a fact sheet and a series of social media graphics, available in both English and Spanish, as well as a dedicated web page and expert and patient videos. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, who just released post hoc analysis data from the GALE extension study looking at 5 years of continuous treatment with pegcetacoplan injection (Syfovre) in patients with GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is sponsoring the educational week.

Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, commented on the awareness week, saying, “Geographic atrophy can profoundly affect the independence and quality of life of millions of patients and their families. Our goal at Prevent Blindness is to bring GA into the spotlight—ensuring people recognize the symptoms, understand their options, and feel empowered to seek care earlier.”

Additionally, Prevent Blindness recently hosted the community forum “Geographic Atrophy: Knowledge, Hope, and Help,” which is designed for those who have been diagnosed with GA and/or their care partners. Panelists from the forum include:

• Kira Baldonado, MPH, executive vice president of Prevent Blindness – moderator
• John W. Kitchens, MD, retina specialist at Retina Associates of Kentucky
• Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH, director of patient advocacy and population health initiatives at Prevent Blindness
• Diane Marshall, Prevent Blindness ASPECT patient engagement program graduate, and an individual living with GA
• Pete Poulsen, Prevent Blindness ASPECT patient engagement program graduate, retired business communication coordinator and individual living with GA

Prevent Blindness is also providing additional educational videos such as:

• “Advancements in Treatments for Geographic Atrophy,” featuring Rajeev S. Ramchandran, MD, MBA, associate professor of ophthalmology at Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center
• “Geographic Atrophy and Patient Support,” featuring Prevent Blindness Ohio past president and CEO, Sherry Williams, sharing her story as a care partner for her mother diagnosed with GA
• “Geographic Atrophy” episode featuring Janet S. Sunness, MD, medical director of the Richard E. Hoover Low Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center

In addition to GA awareness, Prevent Blindness is also focusing on mental health, as a recent study from the CDC found that 1 in 4 adults with vision loss reported anxiety or depression. To assist, Prevent Blindness offers the Vision Loss and Mental Wellness resource from its Living Well With Low Vision program.

References:

1. To Educate the Public and Raise Awareness, Prevent Blindness Declares Fifth Annual Geographic Atrophy Week as Dec. 1-7, 2025. Published November 25, 2025. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/to-educate-the-public-and-raise-awareness-prevent-blindness-declares-fifth-annual-geographic-atrophy-week-as-dec-1-7-2025-302625045.html