4th Eyelea injection

[IvyRose2]

Fourth Eyelea injection today, I did better reading the eye chart and thank goodness the fluid has started to move apparently, the nurses were so lovely. The injection was well administered and not stinging today. Gloucester ophthalmology apartment is very good, bit of a wait but who minds eyesight is so precious, I appreciate mine so much and thankful for all the help and support from the Eye Department, keeping fingers crossed taking the macushield, doing eye exercises that I saw on the Macular society web sight. Thinking positive and thankful for each day.

[yotboy]

Welcome to the silent majority that think the NHS is the best thing since sliced bread. I am about 30 injections ahead of you. Despite the fear of the injection, my visits to Moorfield have become something of a treat just for the pleasure of seeing all those wonderful people at work. How they do this day after day just beats me.

It's not so long ago that our treatment was either unavailable or incredibly expensive!

On occasions that I come across those moaning about the waiting time in hospital, I am often tempted (and sometimes yield to that temptation) to ask them exactly what else they had planned to do on 'injection day' that was so pressing.

[rosyG in reply to yotboy]

Am waiting at Moorfields now and looks very busy but am well. Prepared with book!!

[IvyRose2 in reply to rosyG]

Good luck Rosy

[Hidden in reply to yotboy]

Entirely agree with your sentiments about NHS staff.

Yesterday I had my 74th injection at Liverpool. On each and every occasion I am treated as if I am their one and only patient despite them being swept off their feet. If the retinologist is away then either a Fellow or a nurse stands in and carries out the injection. It does not happen until I am happy with the preparations.

I need the shots at monthly intervals but despite the difficulty in fitting me in at such short notice they always ensure that it happens on time.

[Ayayay80]

Hi IvyRose

I am so pleased for you that you are seeing an improvement. And yes, I agree with you and jotboy, we have much to be thankful for even if at times things do not quite go to plan. But hey, what would we do without the NHS? The nurses and consultants at my eye clinic have always been friendly and helpful, and despite the occasional blip, I know they do the best they can for us.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. x

[IvyRose2]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Great news xxx

[malp1947]

I have just had my 6th injection at Watford General Hospital and there has been an improvement in my vision. I am so pleased that others are having great results as well. God bless the NHS!!!

[IvyRose2]

That's great news.

[RenaKor]

HI, and congrats IvyRose2 from me as well. Can I just ask those who commented - you seem to be getting dozens of those injections - is it to stop the eyesight from worsening, or do they still keep improving your condition? My mum got Wet AMD, she lives in the Czech Republic, and there, the public health limit is 10. The doctors decided that her condition was stabilising after the 6th injection, and stopped. Now she only gets checked every 6 months. As Czech public healthcare only ever treat one of your eyes and mum has wet AMD in both eyes, she went private with the other eye, the one that was slightly less bad at the start. Now it has become slightly worse, but has also stopped deteriorating, so the private doctor decided to stop the injections as well. Both doctors independently claim that once the scar started forming and the state of affairs stopped changing, it is better to leave it as any more intervetions, however well meant, can set things in motion again. Mum found the injection trips stressful so is actually glad not to have to go, we'll be going to get some long-distance glasses for her as currently she cannot travel on public transport or anything like that. My question boils down to: is there any benefit from continuing with injections even if the condition is stable, i.e. no change in vision? Thanks in advance for any experience you may be able to share here in the UK.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear RenaKor,

The main function of the injections for wet AMD is to suppress the abnormal blood vessels, stabilise the eye, maintain vision and prevent further damage. Therefore, if the eye becomes stable for a period of time, due to the abnormal blood vessels being successfully suppressed, then there will be no function for the injections. However, it is possible that the wet AMD may become active again, in which case further injections would be needed.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further help. The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,