Avacincaptad pegol is an intravitreal solution that was approved in the United States to serve as a treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dry age-related macular degeneration can turn into an advanced stage referred to as geographic atrophy, which results in irreversible vision loss. Geographic atrophy impacts millions of people across the globe, and the incidence rate goes up with age. As our California avacincaptad pegol specialist has seen in patients, those who have this type of condition can have trouble with basic vision functions, such as reading and being able to see in dimly lit areas. If you want to know if the Retina Associates of Orange County can help improve your sight, please contact our clinic for an appointment.
SYMPTOMS OF GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY (GA)
Geographic atrophy (GA), or called advanced dry macular degeneration, impacts your central vision. This can hinder your ability to read, drive, and identify faces. There are treatment options for geography atrophy. This is a later state of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition affects the macular of the retina and weakens the central vision. You may still have sharp sight in your peripheral vision. Usually, both eyes have geographic atrophy and may come along with blind spots in the central view point. In the early stages, the condition may only be present in one eye. If you have the following symptoms, consider speaking with our knowledgeable avacincaptad pegol soon for a consultation:
- Difficulty with activities that require central vision ability
- Loss of vision acuity (sharpness)
- Trouble seeing in dimly lit areas
- Colors are less vibrant ot appear drab
- There are dark spots in your central vision
Before receiving avacincaptad pegol treatment, some diagnostic testing will need to be done. Your doctor may order fundus autofluorescence, microperimetry, optical coherence tomography, and multifocal electroretinography. This testing will give your doctor a better idea of what is going on and how best to address your condition. While anyone can develop geographic atrophy, there are some risk factors for this condition, including the following:
- Are 60 or older
- Have lighter eyes
- Smoke (or used to)
- Have a family history of genetic conditions that affect the eyes
- Do not have a diet that is rich in vegetables and fruit
- Spend plenty of time in the sun
- Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, coronary heart disease, or obesity
Treatment Considerations
Avacincaptad pegol injections are utilized to treat geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). When the retina of the eye causes blurry vision or blindness, this may be diagnosed at AMD. Avacincaptad pegol injections are administered only by a doctor as prescribed. Currently, it is available in dosage form as a solution. Prior to using the medication, your doctor will weigh the pros and cons of the treatment. This is a decision you can make together to ensure it is likely to yield the best results possible compared to potential risks. Firstly, allergies should be assessed. Do inform your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions that you have had to either this medicine or others. Let your health care professional know if you have allergies to dyes, foods, preservatives, or animal products. Studies have been performed for seniors and have not concluded that geriatric-specific issues would limit the usefulness of avacincaptad pegol in the elderly. Tell your doctor about current medications you are taking, so they can evaluate possible interactions. If there is a chance of an adverse reaction between the medications, your doctor may change the dosage or recommend the treatment is not ideal at this time. Using tobacco or alcohol with certain medications can cause harmful interactions to occur. Talk with our Avacincaptad pegol specialist California patients trust about your prescription or over-the-counter medications, any food allergies, and alcohol or tobacco use prior to treatment administration. If you have questions about avacincaptad pegol treatments, contact us at Retina Associates of Orange County as soon as you are available.
Avacincaptad Pegol Precautions
Your doctor will need to check your progress closely and at routine visits, particularly during the first initial days of receiving the treatment. This is to confirm that the medication is working as it should and to identify unwanted effects. Serious vision problems can include endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, increased eye pressure, eye infection, or neovascular AMD as a side effect of avacincaptad pegol injections. Contact our avacincaptad pegol specialist immediately if you have changes in vision, eye redness, eye pain, headaches, seeing floating spots, see flashes or sparks of light, tearing of the eyes, or a curtain or veil appearing across a portion of your vision. This treatment may cause patients temporary blurry vision, so it advised that you do drive as this could be dangerous until your eyesight clears. We recommend having someone drive you to and from your appointment as a safety precaution.
Empathy And Compassion
At Retina Associates of Orange County, we understand that many people worry about losing their vision. It is a normal concern for those who are in their retirement years and on. Seniors can suffer from eyesight loss and other related conditions. It can feel as though the world in front of you is slipping away. However, please trust that we are here to give you solutions so that you can live everyday as comfortably and visually clearly as possible. Our CA avacincaptad pegol specialist provides compassionate and kind eyecare services that can truly make a difference for people and their quality of living. We hope to hear from you today to learn more.
RETINA ASSOCIATES OF ORANGE COUNTY
Our CA avacincaptad pegol specialist has helped so many patients who struggle with degenerative conditions of the eye. At Retina Associates of Orange County, we empathize with how vision problems can interfere with a person’s quality of living and ability to engage in hobbies they enjoy. If you are ready to consider your treatment options, then contact our clinic to reserve an appointment. We can begin by doing an examination, learning more about your medical history, and then making recommendations for care. We are ready to answer your questions and get you on the path to enhanced eye health. We hope to speak with you soon!