Ozurdex implant

[sarahc333]

Hi I have CRVO with macular oedema in my right eye, this happened when I was 46, it’s coming up to a year now and I’ve had 3 lucentis injections and 5 bouts of laser, I’ve recently had the ozurdex implant and i must say that it has improved my sight but I was just wandering if anyone else has had this implant and how long did the effects last for, I know it’s slow releasing between 3-4 months but I’m still a bit anxious at what the outcome will be...

[Hidden]

Hi sarah, I have brvo with mac oedema since age 52. As you know, everyone is different. I had 24 lucentis/eyelea inj over about 3 years before starting ozurdex. I'm now on my 6th implant. For me they last about 5 months but a friend only had 3 and it cured him. You may be lucky x

A big plus for me was psychological. I hadn't realised how much monthly inj affected me. Also implants less painful ( I think due to anaesthetic inj).

Downsides were cataracts and raised iop. Got drops for the iop which work well and had cataract in bad eye done successfully but waiting on other eye until absolutely necessary ( I was told cataract would only happen in bad eye!).

My doc says my condition is now deemed chronic and they may not give me many more implants but I can go back to monthly inj so will still get treatment which is good. My advice is don't worry, just take it a day at a time. Good luck going forward.

[sarahc333 in reply to Hidden]

Hello eyesright thank you for your advice, I will take note and not worry and take it a day at a time as I do in life in general lol. Good look to you going back to your monthly injections, I hope this has a positive effect x

[123charl]

Hello Sarah

I too had eye injections, which had little or no effect. I have been insulin dependant diabetic for 35 years and had cataracts in my eyes removed prior to starting the injections. So no worries for me here. My condition is chronic and I have had two four monthly implants. The first one didn't improve my sight much but the second one was great (noticed colours were brighter too). I have had a major amount of laser over the years and my consultant has told me I can have no more in my right eye.

Just over twelve months ago, my consultant gave me a steroid implant which can last upto three years. My eyesight has been marginally better, I have very little rise in eye pressure.

Had I not had these, my sight would have deteriorated further. I just take whatever treatment my consultant recommends - they are the experts and don't offer treatments like this if it is not going to be of benefit to you.

Also, I found when I was having monthly injections, it was like I was not free and on a roller-coaster waiting for the next injection. Mentally, for the most part, I can forget I have any eye conditions and it is no longer the 'topic' of conversation as it just sits in the background.

My advice is to take whatever they offer you - we are so lucky to have consultants who offer us the latest available treatments - there are a lot who don't.

Good luck and try not to worry too much as there are still other options out there too.

Best wishes

[sarahc333 in reply to 123charl]

Hello charl, thank you for the reply and advice. It’s good to know that you had a steroid implant that can last up to 3 years, maybe this could be an option for me in future 🤔.. as I found the implant injection extremely painful. You are so right in saying we are so lucky to have this treatment available to us, I dread to think of the poor people suffering. I will take what they offer me and not worry thank you x

[petr18]

We have so much in common. I got CRVO when 46. The vision has improved tremendously. I had 3 Ozurdex and in my case one implant last 3 months. Side affect, Cataract. I have had around 10-11 laser sittings and presently back to Avastin. Vision is 20/20 right now but goes to 20/30 without injection on time. I wish you a speedy and full recovery.

[sarahc333 in reply to petr18]

Thank you for the reply petr18 I’ll take note of that and hopefully this implant I have now will last a while, wish you luck too x

[eyeshadow51]

I've recently had a second Ozurdex implant alongside a cataract operation in my left eye. My response to the first implant was good and it reduced the oedema much better than Eyelea injections. Currently, there is some slight improvement in my vision more as a result of the cataract operation. I am still waiting for the dexamethasone (Ozurdex constituent) to further reduce the oedema. I have some blank spots in my vision along with the wavy lines. Realistically, I don't expect my left eye ever to be as good as my right eye which is strong so I look on the treatment as simply preventing the degeneration getting any worse.

[sarahc333 in reply to eyeshadow51]

Thank you for the reply eyeshadow51, I wish you well in the future x

[Historyman]

Hi Sarah

I had a BRVO with secondary mac oedema five years ago. Over that time I've had 5 osurdex implants which have helped a lot. The last one was 18 months ago and so far, I'm stable. The early osurdex seemed to last about 4-5 months a time. Everyone's reaction is different. Sometimes I gather you may only need several implants before it stabilises.

I may need some more in time, but the good thing is that Osurdex can arrest the condition and the hope is that a more permanent solution may be developed in the years ahead. They will check your eye pressure and you might get cataracts but that is a simple procedure if you need to sort them out.

Good luck and remember we're very fortunate to be living at a time when they have made some real advances in eye treatment - and hopefully they ain't finished yet!

[sarahc333 in reply to Historyman]

Thanks historyman for your reply and it’s good to know your last ozurdex injection was eighteen months ago and still good, my sight had definitely improved with this first implant I can see colours much better and the shapes are more prominent now, I hope it lasts as long as yours does and good look to you in future with yours x

[Chingus1]

hiya

I have just had this yesterday . My eye is a little sore and still feels like its still numb .

How long does it take to actually notice any differences in vision.

Simon

[Hidden in reply to Chingus1]

Hi chingus1, everyone is different but I personally find my vision first gets more blurry after any eye injection ( antivegf or ozurdex) for about a day .

The ozurdex then works well for me, sight improves rapidly over the next couple of days.

How long it lasts is also different for everyone.

You may need just the one, 2 or 3, or more.

Stay positive though, at least we have the option of treatment.

Best wishes to you going forwards x

Ps if eye remains uncomfortable beyond a couple of days ring your eye clinic for advice - it's unlikely there's anything wrong but they may recommend soothing drops ( sterile, preservative free) such as hypromellose or Hylotear as the procedures can make the eye dry which can be very painful ( if eye tears up it's dry, trying to lubricate itself).

[Chingus1 in reply to Hidden]

Hiya

Thank you for the reply as you no this is new to me . I am feeling very reassured now . When you have bad vision and you have any thing done to our eyes we all expect instant results .

I will post in a few days to let uou no how I'm getting on .

Thank you

Simon