Lots of black & circular floaters + bloodshot eye after my last Avastin injection. Should I worry?

[whiskbroom]

I have been having regular Avastin shots for 18 months, with no progression of the wet MD. I've had floaters before, but not this many so frequently. I've also had large black circular floaters (from the glycerin used in the packing, from what I've read) which eventually disappeared.

Now my floaters are dark black with some circular ones (black on the outside, white in the middle).

Should I worry or contact my opthamologist? My next regular appointment is not until October.

Thanks for any input.

[springcross]

When did you last have your Avastin injection whiskbroom? I've had circular floaters before which look like black polo mints but that's usually for a day or two after injection with Eylea. If you're having more than usual and they are lasting longer you should contact your opthalmologist and ask for their advice. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[whiskbroom in reply to springcross]

Thanks for replying. My last shot was June 17. I had actually gone in about a month before, because I was having some blurry vision in my "bad" eye. She said both eyes were okay, and told me to use eye drops 3-4 x a day (which I've been doing). She told me to keep my upcoming appointment on June 17, which is when I got my shot.

The blurry vision seems to have cleared up, but the eye does get bloodshot every few days, usually after a night's sleep. The floaters, though mostly small, are certainly annoying.

I don't think going in again so soon would help, really. I'm 16 weeks between injections now, and the progression was stopped as soon as the injections began 18 months ago.

I just worry that the eye is "failing," and these are the beginnings. Scares me a lot, but what can I do except what I'm doing? (I do have a post asking about "failing." I'd love input on that one too. Thanks.)

[springcross in reply to whiskbroom]

I honestly would ring the opthalmologist and ask advice. Explain what it happening and tell them that you are worried. I can't see that having a bloodshot eye every few days after a night's sleep can be right, but I am not an opthalmologist. It's up to you but if it were me, I would ring - all you're asking for is a bit of advice.

[whiskbroom in reply to springcross]

You are right, and I will do that. I have an Amsler Grid on my wall, and my vision has not changed, so that's a good sign, but the floaters and bloodshot eye are very annoying. Thanks for the advice.

[Joankelley in reply to springcross]

I have had the black floaters, but they went away the next day, have had bloodshot eye three times....that condition lasted for a week. Worst of all was what happened after my 3rd injection (last of the 3 month “load”)...after that injection, for about 5 minute I was blind in the injected eye! It took about five minutes for my sight to return, but it was frightening, to say the least!

Since March 2020, I have had a total of 4 injections: the 3 month “LOAD” and one additional injection at 5 weeks. My next injection was spaced @ 5 weeks . Before each injection I get the OCT test where the dr. looks for improvement. From his last evaluation, he thinks I should stay at 5 week intervals.

At the last appointment in June the Dr. found wet MD in my left eye which has CRS, so he injected the left eye for the first time.

I must say right now I have excellent vision for reading, have always been nearsighted, which is deficiency in distant vision. When wearing glasses, my distance vision is very good. Where I notice deficiency is in seeing distance in bright sunlight.

I stopped taking AREDS because I am concerned about the zinc content in the AREDS eye vitamins.......have heard about another brand, PERSAVITA. Need to do some research and comparisons between those two.

If anyone in this forum has news about PERSAVITA, I hope you will post what you know. Many thanks!

[springcross in reply to Joankelley]

Yes I can understand that you were frightened when you temporarily lost the sight in your eye, I would have been too. I'm glad your reading and distant site is good, that makes the injections all worthwhile. I understand what you mean about sunlight, I have been told to always wear sunglasses when I go out in sunlight and I even wear them when pegging out washing. I'm pretty sure someone on here last week was talking about Persavita. If you check the posts for last week you will find it, if not, let me know & I will have a go at finding it. Take care. x

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner in reply to Joankelley]

Dear Joankelley,

When individuals develop a macular related condition then they tend to develop a heightened sensitivity to glare, which comes from the blue light in the spectrum, which ordinary sunglasses do not protect against. I have coped a link to our booklet regarding this:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

Please contact us direct if you would like to receive a list of suppliers details,

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information Service

0300 3030 111

[e-mail]