Damage caused by speculum

[folkmusicilike]

I had injection in right eye with eyelea last Friday. As numbing drops wore off I had excruciating unbearable pain in my eye. Had to keep eyes closed & dsperately try not to allow my eyes to move at all.

Had to get my daughter over to take me to A&E where, after long wait, was told by ophthalmologist that the speculum had caused a hole in my eye, and he removed loose epithelium & prescribed anti biotic gel & co-codamol.

He said I should ask for more senior doctor to administer the injection in future. Not sure how easy this will be.

Terrible weekend followed & still have not regained my good eyesight in right eye 4 days later. I have dry AMD in left eye which can’t be treated, but has caused collapse of my eyesight in that eye so my eyesight is considerably worsened at present. It is improving gradually, but I have been very scared & traumatised by this whole experience.

Has anyone else experienced this? I want to make a massive fuss about it & feel I can’t allow any more injections without guarantee this won’t happen again.

Very annoying aspect is that notes from A&E are not shared with the consultant responsible for my treatment. It’s entirely left to me to draw attention to this injury done to me by a medical procedure in the same hospital.

[Koalajane]

So sorry to hear this. I have had a fair few injections and never had this problem. It really should be reported to the injector that this has happened. I hope your sight improves soon.

[Jihm]

I am very sorry to hear this! I hope you are able to get a more experienced injector next time. You should insist, in my opinion.

[smiler6044]

Hi, sorry to read your post and not surprised you are left feeling angry. My hubbie has survived 17 Eylea injections but he had two “rough” injections causing excessive pain and a lack of confidence in the procedure. We rang his Consultants Secretary to flag and the issues were noted in his file. He also raised them at his Consultant Review Appointment. Our Clinic has now changed from random doctors injectors, to a Nurse Lead Service and the improvement has improved dramatically. They are on top of their job and long may this continue. I hope your sight returns and please feedback how you get on.

Cheers

From The Bobblers

[Koalajane in reply to smiler6044]

At the eye clinic I go to in Shrewsbury it is always nurses and nurse/practitioners who do the injections. There are 2 that I am always happy to do my injection because they are always very good, kind, explain what they are doing and very efficient,

[Bobbie915 in reply to smiler6044]

I remember when I first started with injections. Our hospital had an annual intake of junior doctors working their way up the ladder. You were lucky if you got a skilled injector. For more than 2 years we have had mainly, a very skilled nurse. Now there seems to be 3 doing injections and all have had the same training. What a difference it has made. I don't dread having injections anymore.

[folkmusicilike in reply to Bobbie915]

I’ve had countless good injections once my iodine reaction was accepted. It is pretty much someone different every time though.

[Eyeproblems]

So sorry you have had such an awful experience from your last injection.

Yes you should complain, as it should never happen. I hope you manage to get someone different for your next injections and that your eyesight continues to improve.

Best wishes.

[tallyho]

So sorry this happened to you. In my hospital they note down in my notes which dr injects I wonder if they do that at yours?

[Bobbie915 in reply to tallyho]

They certainly do at my hospital, Tallyho.

[folkmusicilike in reply to Bobbie915]

Yes, I’m sure they know who gave the injection.. Only one injector on that clinic. No idea if it was a doctor or nurse, though

[fed13]

Dear folkmusicilike, what a horrid experience. You should write exactly what you wrote on this forum to your hospital complaints dept. Lessons can be learnt: lessons must be learnt.

I do hope you have a much better experience in future. keep us posted!xx

[JJnan]

In so sorry to hear about this, hope it eases and eyesight returns to normal soon. I had to change clinics because of 'bad' injectors, it's in my notes to have a particular injector, you really should mention it next time x

[folkmusicilike]

Thanks for responses. No improvement to eyesight today, but no pain now. Seeing double. Deciding whether to go to Eye Casualty. No idea if I should be expecting my eyesight back by now.

[Macsoccer422]

First off. So sorry this happened and I know the pain hurts I had a bad injection on my first one. I doubt you can blame the doctor play with any procedure there is a risk even with someone who has did thousands of them they make mistakes. It upsets me to see so many people blame someone when they sign a consent form before the procedure. It happened and you will get

Through it most likely without any damage. Let them know what happened and your concerns without a fuss and be a decent person. No doctor is invincible. Plus the other doctor can say it was the speculum or it could have been touching your eye after the procedure when still numb or something before the shot. Again sorry it happened hope You feel better

[McNaughton]

Dear me that is dreadful ... where do you go for your injections . Iv had over a 100 and never experienced that. I am at the York Hospital. Ps love folk music to

[Hidden]

It is important that injectors receive feedback, both to praise and to highlight possible poor practice. Side effects from treatment are covered by consent form and human error must be expected at some point. However, if patients don't inform clinics of issues how are injectors ever to learn if they have developed bad practices ( such as being heavy handed with clamp)?

Definitely bring to your clinic's attention. Do it for yourself and others they may damage.

I did (via PALS) and that injector is now much better!

Copious drops for dry eye throughout the day and regular paracetamol helped me when my eye was scratched by clamp, it did heal fine after about a week ( though yours sounds worse so may take longer).

It doesn't happen often so don't let it put you off.

Best wishes.

[springcross]

Hi folkmusicilike. I am sorry to hear about your awful experience and hope that you are improving greatly day by day. I would definitely report this to the opthalmologist in charge of your clinic, as the person responsible (I am assuming they must have realised what had happened) needs to know that it is not acceptable to do this and just leave it. I agree that it is annoying that notes are not shared with your consultant, particularly as you say it is the same hospital. I think I may kick up a stink if it were me. All the best to you. xx

[folkmusicilike]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I’ve written a letter as I have no contact details for the consultant responsible for my care. I’ve kept it very civil, describing what happened and asking if she is able to give me any reassurance about future procedures.

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear folkmusicilike,

Since you say that A&E do not share notes with your ophthalmologist, then it may be wise to contact your ophthalmologist yourself via their secretary, explain what happened and flag up your concerns. This will give them time to ensure that measures are put in place to guard against it happening again in advance of your next injection.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information Service