Wet Macular Degeneration Newly Diagnosed

I was diagnosed 6 months ago... one eye... caught it early and my vision is excellent ... so far.

I had 2 Eyelea injections over 2 months and that kept me going for 4 months. I've just had a 3rd injection and it frightened me... not the actual injection but the diagnosis again

Once the injection has been found to work will it always work? Can i relax in that knowledge. I suppose there isn't a 'plan', or a set pattern, we are all different.

I've been quite relaxed about this for 6 months but now I feel anxious.

[Bobbie915]

You don't say where you live. In the UK it is normal procedure when diagnosed, to have 3 loading injections over a period of 3 months, followed by monthly scan and check-up. When I was first diagnosed with AMD I was completely unaware that there was dry and wet - and how serious the condition can be. I thought I had pretty good sight and was only concerned by the thought of having injections in my eyes. Some people seem to go on for years maintaining reasonable sight with regular injections. It is a lifetime treatment. I haven't been one of the lucky ones - I lost a great deal of my sight 18 months after starting treatment. Wishing you you the best of luck. Bobbie.

[Hidden in reply to Bobbie915]

Thank you Bobbie. I was born and lived in UK for 65 years. Now live in Melbourne. I too will be followed up for life.

[Bobbie915 in reply to Hidden]

I had a feeling you were not in the UK. I have no doubt you will get good care in Australia. My daughter used to live in Brisbane and was very happy with the medical care. She is not impressed wit NHS!

Your treatment appears to be working well for you. Keep up the good work and all the best for the future. Bobbie

[kevinaki]

>google "eylea injection spacing"

“The recommended dose for EYLEA is 2 mg administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (monthly) for the first 12 weeks (3 months), followed by 2 mg once every 8 weeks (2 months).”

see also: eylea.com

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[Bobbie915 in reply to kevinaki]

Quite right Kevin. My first concern was it didn't appear that the first 3 loading injections had been done.

[Hidden in reply to Bobbie915]

I had 3 injections so far.. 2nd one 4 weeks after 1st and 3rd 8 weeks after that due to previously booked holiday and excellent response to first 2. Review Now in 8 weeks.

[Seamus1]

I am on injection 22 in left eye and 17 in right eye, eylea has stabilised my sight. I now have the jabs every 4 months. Good luck and be positive 👍

[Hidden in reply to Seamus1]

Thank you I will

[Catseyes235]

I have come across one person whose condition dried out and no longer has injections but obviously has yearly checkups. My eye doc (UK) quoted the statistics last week of what percentage respond/don’t respond well to treatment and I can’t remember at all ! but was just delighted I am now on every 10 week treatments for both eyes. If treatment successful the gaps get longer! Hoping to go to twelve weeks eventually.

You never really get used to the injections but hopefully you’ll get good results after your loading injections. My left eye responded really well to Eyelea after one! Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to Catseyes235]

Thank you. I was climbing the walls with discomfort after 1st injection but better now i know what to expect and i have eye drops to help. I too had great result from 1st injection. Keeping fingers crossed for us all.

[Catseyes235]

I get Superdrug moisturising drops (but one get second half price .. cheapest around and always like a bargain!) and use new one for each treatment. I use as frequently as necessary along with a couple of paracetamol if needed. Make sure the iodine is washed off as much as possible as it is the iodine forming crystals that can irritate. I also like to have cooled boiled water to wipe any crusting gently away. You may know this already but I have met people who don’t realise they can help themselves after treatment and think they just have to suffer for a day or two!

[Hidden in reply to Catseyes235]

Thanks. I'm in Australia. The Specialist does the injections himself and so far he's great and he gives me eye drops. Then he charges me $700!!! Hahaha.

[Catseyes235]

Oh dear! What if people can’t afford it? I do love our NHS!

[Hidden in reply to Catseyes235]

It's tough. They can be referred to the hospital but there's no fast track for that and injections are done in Melbourne at the hospital. So its an all day job

I worked in the NHS for 20 years. Too much waste... Too many managers... too few paying for too many. It can't be sustained.

[Catseyes235]

No I don’t agree. Yes there is waste and that can be addressed but

I’d hate to see a system where some actually many, went blind (with the long term financial implications) because they could not afford treatment. I could not afford treatment and nor could my brother who died last year... he was registered blind as no treatment was available 15 years ago. My other brother is also receiving treatment in Scotland and could afford for a while but not long!

[Hidden in reply to Catseyes235]

I don't agree either!!

The waste is never addressed

You would afford the private health here. It costs no more than paying the stamp there.

It's about budgeting. People who get lung cancer ... for the example ... and don't have health care have made a choice... we all have choices.

[Catseyes235 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry but what choice have people with lung cancer made? Are you blaming people for their medical conditions? Not all lung cancer or cancers in general are a result of smoking. Smoking is not acceptable but drinking is and all the women I know who have had breast cancer drank wine but in an ‘acceptable’ sense. Maybe you’ve just been lucky health wise and financially.

[Hidden in reply to Catseyes235]

If u can't work that out.....

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear Medsec2000,

Please ring us at the Macular Society Advice and Information Service for discussion. We are open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear Hidden,

Please contact us at the Macular Society for discussion.

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,