Avastin

[caddy45]

Can anyone of working age tell me if thay go back to work or take the whole day of after an injection .I work on metal cutting machines in a factory setting . And if I should need the rest of the day of what do I say to my boss when he asks why.kind regards

[fmarston]

I usually take the day sick leave since the injection is considered as a medical procedure (just like operations)

[stephencox in reply to fmarston]

I imagine the procedure includes drops in both eyes, not only the eye for injection. You will be affected by glare. Personally I dont feel able to drive for several hours and only while wearing dark glasses if daylight. Using machinery would be unsafe same day. Try for a late-in-day appointment?

[DBizley]

My husband has his own business, taking a whole day is not always easy, so tries for pm appt, saying that....the next one is in the morning. The eye may or may not be sore after inj, we have found always best to relax after. Visually after eye drops used preparing the eye takes time to wear off.

Good luck .

[maryparry]

I always have to keep my eyes closed for the rest of the day. I just go to bed. You may react differently. Ask your ophthalmologist for advice on that. They may write a letter explaining how you may feel. Tell your boss the truth, your eyes are vulnerable after an injection. Good luck.

[gillmoseley]

This is in part a reply to Mary and about the after effects of the injections and dilating drops.

I have had Lucentis injections over a period of more than 7 years and the after effects vary tremendously for me and other people. Many people that I have talked to over that period, fellow patients and members of the Macular Society, experience little or no pain or soreness. Others have temporary but quite severe effects such as Mary describes. I have had both. Injections should not cause much bother and there are various avoidable causes I have discovered which I have described in other blogs.

However, the effects of the dilating drops require that you should not drive after the injections. I am always asked "How did you get here today?" so that the medical staff know that I am not planning to drive home. (Gloucester Royal). My appointment letter also refers to that. I guess working with machinery falls into the same category.

The effects of the dilating drops wear off after about 4 hours but may vary from patient to patient. I have them in both eyes as both are checked during the appointment. If I have an injection, the anaesthetic drops and any antiseptics used such as iodine can have temporarily more severe effects on the vision, and I need dark glasses to walk to the bus station safely.

Avastin is used instead of Lucentis in some clinics but the effects should be the same.

The Macular Society helpline is a good place to go - 0300 3030 111. Lots of information available and they also have working age support groups you might like to join. I am retired and belong to a daytime support group.

All the best! Before 2008 this would not have been available on the NHS! We should thank our lucky stars!

[Vikki513 in reply to gillmoseley]

There is no way I could work after a shot. I had a bad reaction after my third shot of LUCENTIS . I was,switched to Eylea. It was much better.Its only my 2nd shot of Eylea. So I'm praying It will work better. My shots are for prolifterretinopathY.

[reidman]

Well I can tell you it depends, sometimes things aren't to bad and after maybe an hour I can return to work but that is usually the exception. In most cases you can barely keep your eye open and you wont be able to see for most of the day. Between the weeping of the eye and the feeling of sand in it pretty hard to work. I usually wash my eye of the soaps they use with a sterile eye wash this helps a lot from the stinking. Then I use an ice pack on side of eye. And by the next day things are better. There are times where it took 2 days for eye to be pain free but only a few times. Good luck

[Hidden]

Hi caddy45, i agree with whats been said so far. There is a real risk of infection so you dont want to be going into any dusty or dirty working place where you might want to rub your eyes etc. My clinic are very adamant not to touch eye after.

Personally, i cant see well enough after the inj for hours anyway and dont feel up to doing much at all. The eye clinic told me not to go into work after and i just told my boss that i would be off sick on their advice. Occupational health at work also agreed i would need time off after (they also sorted a bigger screen and yellow/black stickers on the keyboard for me). I would guess your gp could give you a note if needed.

Good luck with everything.

[Larch]

I agree with the people who say to try for a pm appointment, and take sick leave. I am surprised by some of the comments. I have had over 20 injections and only once had an uncomfortable time afterwards. I have obviously been lucky so far. Be brave, keep still !, it only lasts a second. But the drops do take a while to wear off. And good luck.

[Hollyg]

a week for me

[angelah25]

Take the day off! Your eyes will be dilated, you run the of dust. I always take a couple of paracetamol & go for a sleep just to rest my eyes. I'm given the day off as hospital leave - there's no way I could sit in front of a computer screen. Your sight is too precious. Hopefully you have an understanding boss!

[reidman]

I do if I can sometimes its not so bad others its terrible. If you can I would take the day off, get yourself a patch if you have to it helps. Walmart has them for $5 or less.

Ice on eye helps.