just wondered if anyone has had a reaction to the drops they use for dilating the eye? I seem to have a very painful reaction and my eyes went very red, couldn’t see to find my seat in the clinic too well, following this I can hardly tolerate the lights they use to examine my eyes. Later feeling really groggy for next 48 hours,
I feel a right twit especially when I see some other lovely oldies, going in and coming out without much fuss , I try and face these injections positively as we all do so I promise I am no fainting lady! Lol.
I am allergic to the iodine, so they use the alternative, I do have reactions to so many medicines so perhaps there is an alternative?
Going for my 3rd set of injections of Eyelea, on Thursday and are quietly hopeful there is some improvement.
Wishing all friends on Macula my very best wishes.
Ann x
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MacularAnn
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Hi Ann, I've never had a reaction quite like that before from the dilating drops but sometimes they make my eye feel scratchy and sensitive to the light (especially when they examine my eye) this doesn't happen every time though. I find using my lumbricating drops abit more than usual before my eye appointment helps ease discomfort! Do you use any lubrication drops? Did the doctors/nurses say anything about the reaction you'd had?
Hi, I haven’t spoken to them yet about the severity of the last reaction yet, but will do on Thursday, just don’t want to be down for 2 days following the injections. Will definitely try using more drops than usual, thank you for your kind advice.
Yes completely understandable hopefully they will have some alternative option for you or something to help at least. Maybe ask if washing your eye out with an eye bath afterwards would help?
Hello Ann,the first time I had the drops I had the same reaction as you did and felt terrible but every time since then i feel it less and less.I hope you can do the same in the future,good luck with your treatment.
Some clinics wash the eye well after the injections and that allows use of iodine etc- it's worth investigating whether this would be suitable/possible for you
I have a bad reaction to tripicamide and it makes me jump in pain. They give me Chlorophenyl (SP) instead and it has changed my life. ...BUT I have also discovered that I have MGD which means I have very dry eyes.
I am suffering with dry eyes as well as macular problems. I find the lights and the OCT scans uncomfortable and burn a lot. I don’t think it’s due to the dilating drops though but rather to my dry eyes. Try using lubricating drops daily. I find injection day to be exhausting. I typically sleep for a few hours after the injection. I think it is because I am so tense about it and it is uncomfortable. I like to close my eyes afterward due to the burning. Try to close your eyes and rest after the procedure is possible.
All good advice, don’t mind writing off the day just don’t want to be down for 3 or 4 days a month. But I will get there. I try not to be too tense and put my brave head on. Hope all is going well for you.
Yes had reaction to iodine...tied the alternative. ..Just as bad, so went back to iodine ... diluted..... one drop and a dam good wash out ... 76 and now on my 88 injections.
You should never feel like a 'right twit'. We all react differently to chemicals in the drops. Its probably far more unpleasant for you than other people with your allergies. They are so unpleasant but after the initial stinging I don't have too much trouble. They just feel dry for a few hours and my vision is patchy.
Good luck for Thursday Ann. Let us know how you go on.
Hope your scan goes well and the news is good. After three positive injections and reviews with Eyelea I went for fourth last week and seems like some fluid is back. Doctor said it does wax and wane but it has made me feel a bit down even though she said it was still a lot better than back in September last year. I had a number of lucentis injections earlier last year which seemed to work but then the fluid returned so is wondering if the same will happen.Guess we all have to try and be positive. All the best to you.
Sorry to hear that. Of course you feel down. I know exactly how you feel. It's a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach to hear the fluid is back after several good reviews. I guess we have to accept that the injections are treatments and not cures. All of us with this problem are going to have reoccurances sadly. I have been on a good run also but know I will be upset if my scan isn't good next week. Will you continue with monthly injections?
Cannot say I have had a reaction like you describe. The drops sting a bit to start with and afterwards my eyes are a blurred and by evening they often get very watery and tired but after a good night's sleep they normally settle down. However we all react differently and I think you should make them aware of your discomfort as there must be other drops they can use. Good luck for your next appointment.
Stay strong, Macular Ann! I,too, am nervous when I go for my injection, and the calmness of the others in the waiting room with me makes me feel that perhaps I can muster up some inner strength to handle my situation better.
But I have a way to go to be truly calm in the waiting room.
I am able to tolerate the bright lights for the eye exam much better now. Take heart! You will improve in that area, too.
Hi Getwell89, thank you for your lovely message, I am quite calm really and yes like you I see some dear people coping so well bless their hearts.
I am going to lubricate my eyes every half hour before dilating drops serif that helps. Hope you are doing well, calm and positive should be our motto!
Hi . Yes it’s a real problem light sensitivity, it is apparently part of the problem of Macular, I must say that as time has gone by nearly year for me, it has improved slightly , although not on injection days.
I have all the glasses in readiness for this and very bright and sunny days.
I have turned down the light on iPad and mobile.
I wonder how long it is that you have been suffering.
I have no problem with light sensitivity except when going outside while my eyes are still dilated - have to use sunglasses. But in daily life - I can't seem to get enough light - even have to have a light shining on my keyboard to type and even with a window over the sink I need the light on to wash dishes!! My daughter is the opposite - she is extremely light sensitive and has to wear sunglasses outside summer and winter!
Oh so different for us all, I hadn’t heard about not enough light for everyday activities. Have you checked this out with your doctor. I don’t like too much darkness but not to the extent you are describing. Must be difficult for you. Thinking of you
Have you an IPad? As you can turn the light up or down on it ?
That's a shame - do tell them at the hospital. Not sure of alternatives. The old dilation drops 20 years ago were much stronger and would look like a drug addict and unable to read anything even bus numbers for the rest of the day. No reaction but always have dark glasses ready. Hope you find something that suits.
Thanks for your message, yes I think you are right it’s a case of working it out with the nurses, I think they are trying 2 different types now so will wait and see if it’s better.
I hope you are doing ok and coping as well as you can.
Coming up to another injection next week. Think it is the right eye Aventis - last one was left eye Eyelea. At least the time between treatments is longer now. Small mercies - still ask for a hand to hold during treatment but recovering okay. Treated myself to new sunglasses but also need better lighting when indoors but that may be age as well as AMD . Hope you're doing well.
I hope all goes well next week for you, yes when the space between gets longer it is quite a relief, It is a bit of a nucience when we have both eyes to be done, I prefer to have the injection at the same time to get it over with. Don’t blame you for asking for a hand at all!
Your new glasses sound lovely, I found some inam so pleased with, they are wrap round in tortoiseshell, fit over my spectacles perfectly and look quite trendy.
So good luck for next week , I go Monday and Wednesday too.
My eyes hurt after the Dilation Drug is given. I have always had this reaction ( a kind of pressure pain) every time I go for a regular eye exam. I mentioned this to the nurse and she told me she would give me a smaller dose. This has done the trick and I have no more nasty sensations after the exam. When I mentioned it to the Doc he said that blue eyed people are sometimes more sensitive.
Thankyou for replying, it is so painful I seem to want to be sick too after be given them, but last time was a little easier and I took some eye drops in with me to wash them out. I haven’t got blue eyes though!
I was also prescribed Atropine, and Dexafree, about a month ago, but with them, I have had a lot of itching, still not gone.
Had Lazer on my left eye as the eye pressure had gone up to 52( where as it is supposed to be between 10 to 21) , my eye was really hurting, but got appointment at the end of this month.
Rang the hospital and was told to stop them, so I did.
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