What if

[innisfreefred]

What it i decide not to have any more injections will it sped to my othereye?

[Bazza1234]

What is "it" ?? There are a number of medical conditions involving the macula that are treated by injections. I have Central Retinal Vein Occlusion - and after 6 injections with little improvement in my visual acuity I have decided to let the condition take it's natural course. For me it would be untenable for me to have an injection into my eye every month for the rest of my life - some things just cannot be "cured"

[innisfreefred in reply to Bazza1234]

I seem to have read somewhere that if you cannot read the top line from 3 meters then there is scar tissue which they cannot do anything about. I cannot read the top line when they pull the screen up to a foot away from me. Has anyone else read this?

[ironbrain]

I don't know of any condition you might be having injections for that would spread to your other eye (that isn't to say there aren't any, I'm not a medic).

If you have CSR or CNV/AMD in one eye, it's quite possible you'll get it in the other.

I didn't get the CNV in my left eye fixed, and, believe me, I really regret it, just relying on the other, the one they are trying to save.

I'd say hang on in there with the injections, drops to replace them are on the way.

[tippins27]

I stopped having injections because I could not stand them any more. I have lost the central vision in my right eye but my left eye although very weak is not affected by macular degeneration.

[eesnapal]

I have only read that having AMDin one eye increases the probability of having it in the other at a later time.

However do remember that the purpose of the injection is to preserve the sight you have in the affected eye. If you stop the injections you will probably lose the use of that eye.

Steven

[Golfdavech]

I lost the CV in my right eye despite having licentis

inj. My left eye then contracted amd. I went to a different hospital where I receive eylea injury & after 4 years my sight in that eye is still 20/20.

[Golfdavech in reply to Golfdavech]

Sorry should read eylea injection not injury.

[Melene]

Sight is a precious gift. I am willing to get monthly injections to save it.

[alalex101]

In the US many retina specialists only treat active bleeds. This requires close monitoring and OCTs. For example. I had CSR in my left eye for which Ibwas Checked every 3 to 6 months. Suddenly distortion began in my right eye so I called and was seen by the specialist and received oct and Lucentis the next day. Follow up visits at two weeks and 4 weeks showed a Tony scar but no more bleeding so no more injections. Now I have oct and see specialist every 3 to 6 months. I think this is a good approach unless you always have leakage. Best wishes to you but fight for your sight - any sight increases your independence.

[Hidden]

I fully understand your concern. Is "almost total" loss of central vision better than "total" loss? Only you can decide if it is worth it.

As for the cessation of injections in the bad eye would speed up Wet AMD in the other eye, that is not easy to answer. Certainly, there is a greater risk (about 50%) that the "good" eye may follow suit. If or when this may happen cannot even be guessed at. Some treated people have developed wet AMD in the second eye within months of each other while for others it has taken 2 to 5 years or even longer, if at all. There seems to be no evidence that treatment in one eye or the frequency of it slows down or prevents wet AMD in the other. My own theory, for what it is worth, is that cell activity in general, whether wanted or otherwise, becomes more sluggish the older we get, hence dry AMD may take longer for neovascularisation to take place. Just a thought! My own dry AMD is still dry after two and a half years of fairly regular treatment (certainly not monthly) in the other eye.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear innisfreed,

Which condition have you been diagnosed with?

The medical professionals would not suggest an injection unless you needed it. It is important that you carry on with injections if advocated, to avoid any potential negative impact on your eyes.

If an individual has wet AMD, then there is a 50% chance of developing it in the second eye within 5 years.

Just to make you aware, we are currently offering free 6 month membership. This is a good way to keep up with current developments:

macularsociety.org/6months

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss your concerns further.

The Macular Society Advice and Information service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,