I had my first eyelea injection yesterday morning. Despite all the drops that were put into my eye I felt a sharp pain as the needle went in and I nearly jumped out of my skin. The staff could not fail to notice my reaction. I had expected to feel a dull pressure, not a sharp jab. Did they not give the anaestetic time to work properly? Apart from that, everything went to plan. I even abandondoned the idea of taking a taxi home and opted for two short bus rides home instead, though my eyes felt pretty sore as one would expect. I took 2 two hour naps during the day since I had only slept 2 hours the previous night. This morning, after a reasonable nights sleep, aided by a couple of paracetamol, my eye feels surprisingly good - hardly any soreness. Hope my next one in 4 weeks time will go as smoothly, apart from the sharp jab. Should I mention this on my next appointment?
Ouch! The injection really hurt. - Macular Society
Ouch! The injection really hurt.
YES!!! There is no reason for that to hurt. Have you been to this Dr before? Sounds like the needle was dull or they did not numb you enough. Or the Dr was inexperienced. You should find a Retinal Dr as they have more experience. No excuse for pain , the procedure itself is barbaric enough.
We do not have a choice in UK, Uddyeller, as we have NHS eye clinics attached to hospitals with NHS staff - most of them are experienced and very conscientious. The consultants and registrars I have been treated by are superb. We pay through our National Insurance while working but treatment is free at point of delivery. Best wishes and hope treatment is going well for you.
Ouch, yes definitely mention it next time. Glad it went ok otherwise x
Thank you, eyesright, Feel a bit tired today, perhaps a delayed effect of the goings- on?
Yes, mention it - each injection and doctor varies and they need to know about people's experiences. Glad your next day was more comfortable as that was often worse for me than the day of the injection. Take care x
A few years ago my first few injections were terribly painful at the point of contact. Since I'm now having my other eye treated things are not so bad, principally I think because the clinic has at last trained a couple of nurse-practitioners, both women. At the risk of being sexist, I am convinced that on the whole women have more empathy than men and generally take more care. (Besides, I always ask for lots of anasthaesia and grip the attending nurse's hand very firmly!) It's best to express your concerns - it's your eyes, after all - and they can then take account of that. All the very best as your treatment continues.
Thank you Beldie. Did you tell them that the injection hurt you? And if so, what was their response? It comes as shock when you are told one thing and then experience another. I now dread my next injection. I am glad that things are not so bad for you now; the whole miserable episode is bad enough. Take care x
I've always made it clear that it's painful and all they say is that they'll give more anaesthetic. I haven't been able to find out how much time it takes to be effective, because they give it immediately before the injection and yet I always experience what you did. I mean to ask next time. There are so many variables, including differing pain thresholds, and clinical efficiency. In general, what I do is not focus on the injection at all: having found out as much as I can about the procedure and what I can do to lessen the pain, I've learned not to dwell on it because it is the lesser of two evils - the other being some loss of vision - and try to keep a sense of proportion. Maybe it's easier for me because I'm nearly 85 (though I'm wondering if your username gives a clue to your age.) I'm hoping you will soon come to terms with the treatment. All the very best.
I can understand what you're going through as I have had a series of 12 injections half of them in the United States where is stay there for the winter and half and Canada and I found out the difference between to them was that the Canadian retinol just had utilized iodine 10% while the one in Florida used 5%.. We all know that when you put idea on an open wound as this would be the case it is very irritating and painful. I therefore was able to get the idea 5% in my retinologist here in Canada and since then I've had no issues at all. The injections are essentially pain free.
Dear Ayayay80,
I am sorry to read about your experience. It sounds as if the anaesthetic drops were possibly not given enough time to take effect.
it is really important that you feed back your experience to the eye clinic, preferably as soon as possible, versus waiting until your next appointment. That way they will be aware and can guard against it the next time. In addition, that may help to reduce the amount of worrying before your next appointment.
Please do not hesitate to ring us on the macular Society helpline if you would like to discuss this further. We are open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.
Kind regards.
Ayayay, so sorry to see this! I too had terrible pain - click on my name and see my post from a few monutes ago. I hope your next one will be totally painless as mine now are.
Best wishes,
Mimi
Hello Mimi, sorry I cannot find any of your previous posts. So what Is your secret of painfree injections? Having said that, I am very lucky that the day after the injection I hardly felt any soreness or grittiness. So I do not dread the next one so much now. All would be almost perfect if I could find a way to stop the initial pain. Not that my vision has improved, if anything, it is slightly worse, but it it probably too soon to expect improvement - if it happens.
Take care. x
Yes I think you should as that happened to me too and since then the nurse puts anaesthetic drops in about 15 mins before I go in and then the surgeon always puts more in and even puts more in after its done - I still hate them though!
Dear ayayay80 how terrible that you had pain with the Eylea injection, I have never had any pain in fact I didn't feel it at all. Twice horrible gritty feeling afterwards and took to bed but my last one was ok. Yes you should definitely mention that Bon your next visit. How are you now ? Love from squinty 💜 X
Thank you squinty. You (and all the others) have been so kind and helpful. I am fine now. Luckily, I have felt hardly any discomfort since the day after the injection. That is certainly something to be thankful for. The injection only lasts a few seconds, so I dare say I can cope with the short sharp jab if I have to. But I will ask for more anaestesia next time. The vision in my left eye seems slightly worse and I believe my right one is fast heading that way too. But as I said, I am fine as I have weathered many a storm in the past. Sending you a big hug. x
The experience of pain associated with these injections is highly individual. I have had no problems only feeling slight pressure during almost 60 shots and yet others have acute discomfort.
It may be that a different anaesthetic would suit you better, worth asking about it. Or, ask if they will inject in a different area. I know of one patient whose doc has mapped the areas where she has most discomfort and avoids them.
After many shots in the same area scar tissue can develop making for discomfort.
It is just a possibility that the person administering the shot was a little "off target". The injection should be within 4mm of the lens and within the Pars Plana. Some practitioners measure the 4mm first others rely on their judgement.
Hello Rennatk. Just found your reply. Thank you very much. I now have had my second eylea injection. It was a much better experience. A different doctor did the injection. Also I asked for more aenestetic drops and they were placed in several different sites of my eyeball. Whether or not he measured the distance physically or just used his judgement I cannot say. There was certainly a lot more going on this time before the actual injection. I merely felt just a tiny scratch, too minimal to even make me flinch. I hope I get the same doctor again as I didn't reccon much all round to the first one.
Hi. Ayeaye 80
In fact I posted it just minutes before you picked it up! I only joined MS around 1hr ago. 😄
I am so glad that poke in the eye number 2 was easier. It is a fact that some practitioners are better than others.
If when the iodine is dripped in you feel the SLIGHTEST sensation of stinging always say so and ask for more drops.
Although I am a devout coward when it comes to eye discomfort I have had only one occasion where I felt tiniest pricking sensation. No sense no feeling can come in handy.
I often feel the needle go in and out and get told off for jumping, well it hurts!! There is often a long wait from when the drops are administered until getting wheeled down to the theatre for the injection. I've had 9 so far and felt most of them.
Yes do mention it. I have had 4 injections now and all different. First one I hardly noticed - very quick and efficient - but had v gritty sore eyes from iodine so now get well washed after. Next two were obviously trainees under instruction which made me nervous and I was more aware of the injections Going in though not painful. 4th one did hurt and I flinched and did try to blink so now have a red spot on eyes. Maybe there should be a league table and the excellent ones should train the others!
First eyelea injection
Injection 
First injection yesterday 
Severe Vitreous Swelling & Bruising After Eyelea Injection 
‘Fighting’ for an injection
