47 years old going through treatments for Macular Degeneration due to severe near sightedness - early depletion unknown.

[pamilia28]

I was diagnosed with macular degeneration. My vision within two months severely degraded. The first eye doctor told me to live with it and she didn't believe in injections she should be removed worse care in my life. I'm now with one of the best retina specialist near albany, ny. So far from the injections there is hope but each injection puts me at risk for retina detachment plus I can wake up any day and just not have the vision. How within a few months this has happened they have no idea. I'm 47 in good health eat right and bingo. I have a long road ahead with this fight and my left eye so far has remained stable but being watched. I was wondering if Europe has any new treatments. My treatment is extremely painful and I'm nauseated after.

Thanks.

[Getwell89]

Your treatments should not be extremely painful.

I, too, was nauseated the first few times I received those injections. It was the mere concept of what I was in that doctor’s office for that got me upset so much. Now that I am in my third year of getting injections, I have worked through those feelings, and do not get nauseous anymore. But I still dislike going each time to the appointment.

As for pain, I receive eye drops for numbing, followed by a smaller injection initially to really numb my eye. A short time afterwards, I receive my actual injection of Lucentis. And there is no pain, just a feeling of pressure.

Afterwards, my eye is thoroughly flushed by the nurse.

Please ask your doctor for the numbing injection after the numbing drops. It will not hurt at all, because, as was explained to me, it is a thinner needle that is used.

I hope this helps you.

[IzzyBara]

I'm sorry you're going thru this. I'm 54 and have the same problem. From one day to another started seeing with so much distortion that was making me throw up.

Was diagnosed with WMD on my left eye (which is my good one). My first injection did wonders for the distortion and just had my third injection and my vision improved tremendously. The injections do put people like us at risk for retina detachment among other things, but I'm thankful there is a treatment available. If I'm not mistaken there were none available until 2016. I know it's scary but hang in there. We have to hope new treatments become available.

As for the painful injections. Personally I have to say mine have been a breeze. No pain during, or after. I didn't even realize the Doctor had given the injection until he said "all done" i get a lot of numbing drops and a lot of rinse afterwards. Once home I continue with over the counter refresh drops that I keep in the fridge. The cooling helps a lot. The following day I put my contacts back on and its business as usual

Does your Dr use the "tool" to keep the eye open to give the injection? I heard that can be very painful. My doctor doesn't use it.

The only side effect I got is a black circle in my vision field. It's not there all the time but it's very annoying. Doctor said it's possible related to the silicone in the needle. He said it would take time but that it would go away, but far it has been 6 weeks and it hasn't.

I'm in New Jersey Bergen County area

Best of luck to you! Stay positive

[debharve]

I am 61 and was first diagnosed with myopic macular degeneration in 2000 when I was 42. My blood vessels were leaking and my eyes were treated numerous times with PDT. Then it stabilized for many years. Five years ago, I had recurrences in both eyes and have had countless injections. I do have scarring from the PDT and reduced vision in my left eye but the injections really help. The first injections were very painful. I think it was the betadine. Now, they are really just mildly discomforting. I ask for the same tech each time and we have a routine. She does put in extra numbing drops if needed. I can usually tell if I am numb enough if I feel nothing when they do the betadine rinse --usually around the eye lids.

Also, unless I am having a double injection, I ask for an eye patch and just keep it on until the next morning and try to sleep. When I wake up in the morning, all is well. the natural fluids in the eye seem to heal. I am just grateful for the injections. Otherwise, I would be blind.