Safe to fly ?

[Warrenlee]

I am 73 years old dignoised 2 days ago with wet macular degeneration on one eye I still can see blur vision about 80 percent . I will be flying home to Canada to see my eye doctor

What precaution should I take ?

[andy1955 Macular Society]

Hello Warren,

I am sorry to hear about your wet macular degeneration.

If you have been diagnosed with wet or dry macular degeneration, we have been advised by medical professionals that it is safe to fly; I am assuming you haven't had any treatment yet?

It is recommended that people who have started injection treatment and are relying on UK doctors, should wait a couple of days after an injection before flying.

This is just in case there are any complications (which are fortunately rare). That would need attention from their UK eye unit.

You must of course get to see your eye doctor as soon as possible in Canada so as to get appropriate treatment.

I hope that this is helpful.

Best wishes

Helpline

Macular Society

[Warrenlee in reply to andy1955]

Thank you, I shall see my eye doctor 2 hours after my 12 hours flight.

Read about the injection treatment , it is rather scary any pain?

[marianS in reply to Warrenlee]

Hello Warrenlee,

I am not sure whether this will get to you before you embark on your flight, but I hope that I can reassure you that if you need an injection it should be painless. Some people feel some mild discomfort, but if more severe should be followed up with the health professionals.

We have a leaflet about pain following injections on our website

macularsociety.org/resources

which you may wish to access.

Wishing you all the best

Helpline

Macular Society

[Warrenlee in reply to marianS]

Thank you I am in doctors office with pupil dilated for further examination

I arrived after 12 hours flight just2 hours ago

[marianS in reply to Warrenlee]

Glad you have arrived OK, and hope all goes well with treatment if needed.

Macular Society Helpline

0300 3030 111 (Mon- Fri 09.00-17.00)

[e-mail]

[Hidden]

I have injections for a condition which has some similarities to wet AMD certainly in its implications for vision.

On one occasion I had an injection within 24hrs of a long haul flight. No mention has ever been made to me in 59 shots and certainly I had no adverse effects during or after the flight.

However, we all respond in different ways to medications of any sort so there is no harm in asking the practitioners.

[sukanya78]

Hello Warren,

Even my mother has Wet Macular degeneration. She was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and she is taking injection treatment. May I please know-how are your eyes now? Also, does it appear again even after treatment?