Eye make up: How soon after injections is it... - Macular Society

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Eye make up

Patjo profile image
28 Replies

How soon after injections is it OK to wear eye make up?

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Patjo profile image
Patjo
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28 Replies
rosyG profile image
rosyG

I don’t know what the doctors would say but personally I would t wear make up as you don’t want to increase the risk of infection

Patjo profile image
Patjo in reply torosyG

Thanks for your reply but surely after several days it would be OK.have worn ey makeup all my adult life. Cannot imagine showing my face outside without it

enopmar profile image
enopmar in reply torosyG

I give it about 5 days. It's not the make up so much as the make up removal that worries me. I also don't wash my hair for a few days. I heard not to get tapwater in the eye.

RandyM profile image
RandyM

My doc told me to wait at least 4 days. I look like the walking dead without it, so I cheat and wear it when going out. I don't want to scare small children! lol.

RP1944 profile image
RP1944

I'm back to normal with eye make up the next day.

SDR22 profile image
SDR22

Like Randy M I wear the next day although do keep to the minimum for a few days, otherwise I’d frighten the horses as well as small children...

I give it 5 days - the same amount of time I was told not to go swimming etc.

Be careful, never share eye makeup especially mascara or eyeliner as can be a transmitter of infection.

To be honest many people wear make up on the day of the injection even when asked not to, much to my angst. apparently powder, blush, eyebrow pencil and eyeshadow are not considered make-up by some! I would say 24hs minimum.

Corriesboy profile image
Corriesboy

Hi Patti,

When I go for injection it’s no eye makeup at all , any traces removed thoroughly the night before and they check eyes before injection and clean them up if any residue.

No makeup or contact lenses for a week. Infact last week when I got 5th injection nurse had queried with consultant me using contact lenses between injections , but he said it’s ok , thankfully.

🤓x

Shirleyscutbush profile image
Shirleyscutbush

I know what you feel like. I usually just put eye show on the next day, but leave mascara for a few days.

Gofdave33 profile image
Gofdave33

To be safe 4 days minimum. It is better to frighten the kids than lose your sight.

Eyelet profile image
Eyelet

It’s the iodine prep I cant stand and looking like a startled parrot , a face wreathed in orange gunk. I get shot of that the same evening and wear minimalist eye stuff the next day...can’t have the grand kids cowering under the table , they think I’m an ogre any how . Lol .

linzee3 profile image
linzee3

Sorry that I am barging in on your thread; Reading this thread with interest. Would you mind telling me what the actual injection is like ie pain, sharp prick, pressure, or all of the above? There is something about the thought of sticking a needle into eye that I just can not feel enthusiastic about!! Is it just one injection, or a course of several, and do they knock you out entirely before doing it? ( I opt for total knockout if there is a choice) Thanks for any info.

enopmar profile image
enopmar in reply tolinzee3

I've had 11 or 12. The anticipation is much worse than the actual event, which is a non event. I have ONCE felt a pinch. At most, pressure. I find that the later ones I really felt nothing. I attribute that to the fact that I'm more relaxed now that I it's not going to hurt. Take a tranquilizer first if possible to calm down. They don't knock you out, but they numb your eye and you look to the side, or up, you do NOT see the needle coming at all, it comes from opposite where you are looking. I have them every 6 weeks. The length of time depends on why you are getting injections. There are different reasons.

linzee3 profile image
linzee3 in reply toenopmar

Thank you so much for your reply and detailed info of what happens. I guess I could ask my normal doctor for some sort of trank. to take for those occasions; I recall they prescribed something to take for driving test, which after failing twice from nerves, I was told about. Took one on the day and sailed through. And so good to know I wont see the needle coming at all; I hope they have it ready prepped so I dont even see them pick it up! Thanks again, and I hope these injections continue to work for you.

RP1944 profile image
RP1944 in reply tolinzee3

No, unfortunately we are fully awake when injection is done and nine times out of ten it hurts.

Hate having them, have had eleven so far. However it's better than losing my sight. Usually start with a course of three then one offs as needed. Hope this helps.

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply toRP1944

I have had 7 injections so far, and yes... they do hurt. The pain feels like a person pushing a pencil erasure into my eye, not so much like a sharp prick. But pain is pain. Some seem more painful than others, but one had me in pain for a week due to a broken blood vessel. You are right...it is better than losing my sight. Maybe the future will bring better treatment.

RP1944 profile image
RP1944 in reply toRandyM

Thanks for your reply. Wouldn't it be nice if there was another option besides painful injections into the eye. We can live in hope.

linzee3 profile image
linzee3 in reply toRandyM

Thank you for your reply Randy. Very informative as I had wondered whether it felt like pressure or a sharp pain. have to say when I get dental injections, it feels severe always, and when I wore contact lenses, those dental injections used to make the lenses jump on my eyeball surface; one of my worries is that my eyeball or head will involuntarly move, and so cause problems. I do hope your injections continue to help you keep your sight. Thanks again. best wishes.

20Lucy14 profile image
20Lucy14 in reply toRandyM

I hav

linzee3 profile image
linzee3 in reply toRP1944

Thank you so much for replying. Yes, your reply definately helped. Hope your eyes continue to improve.

Corriesboy profile image
Corriesboy in reply tolinzee3

Hi Linzee3

I’m on injection no 5 and to be honest I’ve had it easy compared to what I read . I’ve had no pain getting the injection and yes your fully awake but they put local anaesthetic drops in your eye before the injection. I drive home after it within 30 mins. The hospital where I have it done are fabulous, I get a different nurse every time and still it’s been fine.

Definitely the thought is much worse, also had no reaction to the solutions they clean your eye with. To be honest I’ve had more discomfort from a normal injection in arm or getting blood taken. I get injections into my shoulder that is much more unpleasant to have done.

I consider myself very fortunate as my vision started to improve after the first injection so the way I see it is even if it was painful I would just grit my teeth and accept it , your sight is everything.

Hope this helps , be brave.

🤓x

linzee3 profile image
linzee3 in reply toCorriesboy

Hello, and thank you for you reply. I really appreciate all of the info you have given. I also, and as a coincidence, ran into my brother yesterday, who has had an injection in his eye, unbeknownst to be, and he said that because the eyeball is basically a liquidy ball of soft tissue- his description, not mine, that the needle has no resistance whatsoever. he said he was told to look down, while the doc. lifted his upper eyelid, and it was over before he knew it. Though I am not sure he didnt see the prep beforehand. So as you say, it is the thought which is so off-putting. And my big worry apart from the actual pain factor, is, do they have someone hold your head in place so you cant move involuntarily? Now I am dreading if I involuntarily flinch!... I think with me I have had some real pain with nurses taking blood, and also the things they attach to back of hand for gen. ans. etc, but of course I am confusing those with an injection, which is a different thing. Though I suffer really badly from dental ones. I am so happy to hear that these injections are working for you and restoring your sight, and as you say, well worth putting up with some small discomfort in order to save your eyesight. I will take your comments as inspirational, and try, when the time comes, to brave up to your standards. all of the best!

RP1944 profile image
RP1944 in reply toCorriesboy

i am totally amazed that you drive after your injections . We are told not to drive ourselves to our appointment, whether it's just a check up or injections. They are most emphatic about us not driving .

Corriesboy profile image
Corriesboy in reply toRP1944

Hi RP1944,

No problem to drive and never been asked . I suppose everyone is different after the injection and maybe get worked up before it and feel a bit on edge, I’m quite a calm person and like to do these things on my own so I’m totally in control. I took my friend the first three times and it meant she had to take time off work and I knew the way I was feeling I could drive absolutely no problem so on the 4th injection I drove myself there and back and again last week on my 5th. I normally go get a coffee at the cafe in the hospital for half an hour first then go.

The only time I don’t drive is if I have to have my eyes dilated for an eye exam & OCT scan.

I was exactly the same before I started , worried, anxious and really terrified of losing my sight these injections have been amazing after only 5. The distortion I had was so bad and was deteriorating quicker than I care to imagine.

Take care and good luck with your injections.

🤓x

RP1944 profile image
RP1944 in reply toCorriesboy

You are doing well. All the paperwork that gives appointment info states you must not drive. This is in Kent. Perhaps your area is different. I just use the local bus although hospital staff get annoyed with me when they ask who is with/collecting me and I say no one, I am in my own.

Glad your injections are working. It's a long road. Good luck.

Corriesboy profile image
Corriesboy in reply toRP1944

Hi RP,

I’m in Scotland , never been asked is someone with you or are you driving apart from when I get the dilations for the eye exam , but I know myself to be honest and I would never drive if I thought there was an issue. That’s why for the first 3 I took a friend to make sure everything was completely ok.

I consider myself fortunate when I read the other posts , that I have no discomfort , or reaction to solutions or visual impairment after the injections, the most I get a week after is a sore eyeball radiating to cheek bone but I’ve had that checked , no pressure problems nothing so I just get on with it and it eventually settles.

🤓x

Macular_1 profile image
Macular_1

Hello Patjo,

The advice given to us by a consultant was to leave it for a week after an injection before using eye make-up.

Best wishes

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