In 2023, the FDA approved two drugs—Syfovre and Izervay—for treating geographic atrophy, a severe form of dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). Affecting roughly one million Americans, this degenerative eye disease can gradually rob individuals of their central vision, making everyday tasks like reading and face recognition challenging. While the availability of these drugs represents a significant scientific advance, it’s also essential to consider their effectiveness, potential side effects, and long-term treatment burden.*

How the Drugs Work: Aiming to Slow Vision Loss

Geographic atrophy occurs when retinal cells progressively waste away, creating blind spots that disrupt vision. Syfovre (developed by Apellis Pharmaceuticals) and Izervay (by IVERIC Bio) target specific components of the immune system that contribute to this degeneration. Both treatments are administered as injections directly into the eye, either monthly or every other month, and are intended to be ongoing.

Although both drugs share a similar immunosuppressive goal, they differ in the immune molecules they target. By calming the immune system, they aim to slow down further retinal damage, but they do not reverse existing vision loss or restore sight.

Efficacy and Safety Concerns

In clinical trials for Syfovre and Izervay, patients experienced a 14% to 20% slowing of disease progression when treated regularly over one year, results that may be considered modest or robust depending on the severity and progression pace of the disease. According to retina specialist Dr. Rahul N. Khurana, while these outcomes mark progress, they must be balanced against the need for ongoing monthly injections and the emotional toll of managing expectations. It’s critical to have a detailed discussion with your ophthalmologist before beginning treatment.

As with any medication, Syfovre and Izervay carry potential risks. Common side effects include:

• Eye inflammation, 
• Bleeding,  
• Blurred vision, and 
• Temporary spikes in intraocular pressure. 

Some patients developed wet AMD (wAMD)—a faster-progressing, vision-threatening condition requiring further treatment.

Rare but serious cases of retinal vasculitis have been linked to Syfovre. This inflammation can block retinal blood flow and cause irreversible blindness; some affected patients have even required eye removal. Though manufacturer Apellis claims the risk is extremely low (0.01% per injection), Dr. Khurana suggests this figure might underestimate the danger, especially for first-time recipients.

Shared Decision-Making Is Crucial

Given the absence of alternative treatments for geographic atrophy, interest in these new drugs remains high, fueled in part by media campaigns featuring celebrities. Still, the decision to begin therapy should be guided by a thoughtful evaluation of risks, benefits, and personal health circumstances. Patients should report any sudden changes in vision, eye pain, or light sensitivity to their ophthalmologist immediately. Regular and open communication is key to navigating this new frontier in AMD care.

*Mukamal, R. (2025, April 17). What to Know About Syfovre and Izervay for Geographic Atrophy. EyeSmart. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/syfovre-izervay-geographic-atrophy-amd-macular-deg 

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