Wet amd

[bedith6]

I have been having injections for some time in my left eye and have managed to get to the hospital on the bus. I have now been told I need injections in the other eye. How does a double injection affect you and is it better to have them together or have more appointments to have them singly? My problem would be having lifts if I had them together as obviously I could not see to use the bus.

[springcross]

Hi bedith. Are there any Care organisations in your area? Where I live there is one and they organise lifts to hospitals, dentists, Health Centres and opticians for a small fee. They normally wait and then drive you back home again. You could contact your local council and enquire if there is anything in the area, failing that you could get a taxi but would probably be fairly expensive. Good luck. x

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Good Morning Bedith6,

It is personal preference whether you have both injections done on the same day or as separate appointments. Some people like to get them both done in one trip, some people prefer to have one at a time for a various amount of reasons.

As spring cross suggested, contact the local council to see if they provide community service, there is usually a service called "Dial-a-ride" specifically for the elderly which may benefit you.

If you do want to continue using the bus, but it's seeing the bus number which worries you, a lot of people print the bus number onto A5 paper and when they know a bus is coming, hold up the bus number and the bus driver will pull over if it is his bus.

If you have any more queries, feel free to let us know

Best Wishes,

Becky,

Macular Society

Advice and Information

[e-mail]

0300 3030 111

[Catseyes235 in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

I’m not sure it’s personal preference as it saves the NHS time and money to prepare two injections at the same appointment. I didn't really have the choice.!

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Catseyes235]

Some hospitals offer the choice, some don't, but if you have a preference of what you'd rather do, it is worth mentioning to the eye clinic to see if they can accommodate.

At this time and under the current circumstances, they may only offer both eyes at the same time to limit the amount of times a person needs to go to the eye clinic to reduce the risk of corona virus.

[Bobbie915]

As neither of us are able to drive anymore, we normally use Mendip Community Volunteer drivers. You just pay their expenses. During lockdown they have not been working and I was told to phone NHS transport. I used them for my last appointment 2 months ago. The volunteers are still not back so I have booked NHS again for next week.

[Catseyes235]

I have both eyes injected together and manage the bus fine. Sometimes I stay in the waiting room for a little bit to get my bearings clear my sight a little and get my sunglasses out but haven’t found any real problem. But then I’ve usually been able to see okayish post injections if a little hazy at times.

It’s more cost effective to have them done together and although the idea was very scarey to begin with it was no worse than having just one done and gets it over with!

Mind you the bus I get end in the hospital grounds and getting back have two quietish roads to cross.

When I have had a lift home I have a text prepared to send when going in for the injection so that the person can come and pick me up instead of hanging about. Hope that helps. Good luck

[princess1931]

Hi bedith. Have you rung your hospital ask if they have a "Friends of the Hospital" organisation? Many do and run a voluntary car service on a donation basis or free for those who cannot afford it. Alternatively get in touch with the ambulance service who run the Patient Transport System. I seems to me you would qualify for transport if both eyes are affected. Zkso, your GP surgery should have information for you. As a last resort telephone your local CCG and ask them to help. They are the people at the heart of all this.

[bedith6 in reply to princess1931]

Thank you for your reply I will certainly try that advice.