Is there a general policy on treating bleeds caused by wet macular degeneration in the over 90s? I have just returned from an appointment with my 96 year old mother, who has quite suddenly lost vision in one eye. She lives independently and has all her marbles, but the consultant spoke only to me, quite dismissively, and said it was not worth messing around with treatment in somebody of her age.
Am I wasting her time in looking for a second opinion?
My interpretation of this post is that the doctors are sparing this VERY elderly lady the intense pain and discomfort of having injections into her eyeball. I would imagine that Aoblin has not experienced the horror of these jabs. They don't make your vision better anyway in my experience
I agree with you, very painful and in my case made my vision worse.
Not at all. I think the only time this attitude is taken is if they think the patient may not be able to keep still enough- confused- very shaky etc. I’ve just had a painful time but all other injections have been fine. Important to see what she thinks and wants I think
Hello Aoblin,
Whilst I accept what other posters have said so far, age should not be a barrier if the consultant thinks that the treatment may help your mother's vision.
Wet macular degeneration is a condition that usually affects the elderly. We often speak with people in their 90's who have had successful treatment.
Injections are not painful for the vast majority.
If your mother feels up to it, I would as you suggest pursue a second opinion. That said, speed is of the essence as treatment must be given promptly if it is to be effective.
Please see our booklet about treatments at the following link;
macularsociety.org/sites/de...
May I suggest that if you would like a chat with the Macular Society helpline, please call us on 0300 30 30 111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday).
Best wishes
Macular Society
HI Aoblin, sorry to hear the way they treated your Mum. Perhaps because the sight has been lost in the eye the consultant didn't think the injections would help. On the other hand as the NHS is so stretched perhaps he erred in the side of 'another costly patient' and decided not to recommend injections, as she is an older patient. It's worth having a second opinion. Yes the injections are often painful and you are to and fro like a yo yo with checkups and injections, but if they help, it's worth it.
Hope this helps. Best wishes to you and your Mum.
Many thanks for your supportive comments. I will call the Macular Society helpline and will seek a second opinion so that, even if the advice is the same, it is presented in a more humane and understanding manner.
Hi Aoblin
I am so annoyed that the elderly should be treated like that. NOT WORTH IT? What gives a consultant the right to decide who is worth it and who is not unless some other underlying eye condition warrants caution? A bleed in the eye can be treated and sometimes some of the vision returns afterwards even if it is not as good as new. At least your mum should have been given the chance. Injections will not make your mum's vision worse in the long run, though it may seem that way temporarily. What does your mum want to do? That is important.
And yes, the injections can be painful or at least unpleasant and the soreness that often follows afterwards for a day or so can be a bit of an ordeal, and your mum should be made aware of that, but it is worth it to preserve some eyesight. I hope her other eye is still reasonably good. As the macular society already said, time is of the essence. Injections should be done sooner rather than later.
Wishing you and your mum all the best.
hi sorry to hear that your mother was treated with such disregards, I was diagnosed at just 29 but trust me, I care for someone who is 97 and has wet AMD and they constantly say that if they knew that the treatment was going to be as painful as what it was and wouldn't do much to help her vision she would have never of agreed to it
I can fully sympathise with your mother. I am 85 and have many days when I just want to give up. After 5 months of not having injection, I ended up having a massive bleed in both eyes. I lost central vision in one eye and my vision badly affected in the other. Some months later my optitian said both eyes were full of blood. Got emergency appointment at hospital but nothing done, just wait for next appointment. I never get to see my consultant at Bath hospital and generally get the feeling of being fobbed off.
For the first year with fairly regular injections, my sight was very good. I feel that stopping the injections possibly caused the massive bleed. Of course, that is just my opinion. What does an old woman like me know?
With hindsight I wish I had dug deep into the piggy bank and gone private. With one you get over-treated and the other under-treated.
Good luck to your mother - she is so lucky to have a daughter like you. Do all you can to help her save her remaining good eye. I do admire her living independantly - long may it last.
Best wishes.
Despite what others have said the injections DO work even if they’re not very pleasant. I’d definitely see if you can have a second opinion and report the doctor as being dismissive and patronising towards your mother. Obviously you could go private if can afford it, It may be that treatment would not correct the condition depending on how advanced it is but no excuse for bad manners. Good luck.
hi my 86 yr okd mom has wet AMD in both eyes and been having injections about 6 years. This is a woman terrified of injections. Though not pleasant and occasionally painful dependant on person giving injection she is pleased to still be able to see. We had to fight tooth snd nail to get treatment started quickly as ever minute counts . We looked into going private back then and was told £2000 per injection so could not have afforded that. Just because your mom is 96 should not be a barrier and would cost NHS more if is needs care as blind. Keep fighting
WET AMD
Wet AMD and Dry AMD
How quickly does wet AMD progress?
