Blood Thinners and Wet AMD

[Lynard]

Has anyone with Wet AMD been advised that blood thinners could have contributed to its development or worsening? I am on Eliquis

[Retired130]

Hi. I am on Pradaxa - maximum dose of 150mg every 12 hours. I get an Eylea shot in my right eye for wet MD every 7 to 8 weeks. I am in the USA. I spend 6 months in PA & 6 months in FL, so I have two Retina specialists - one in each state. I have been on Pradaxa since 2012. I have been on Eylea shot for 3+ years. My Retina specialists know I am on Pradaxa blood thinner and both have told me the blood thinner will have no affect on my wet MD and will give me no problems when getting the shot.

The Eylea shot has totally stopped the Retina bleed as long as I get the shot in a 7 to 8 week interval, so the Pradaxa blood thinner seems to have no affect on the wet MD being controlled with Eylea.

HOWEVER, after 3+ years of shots, I have discovered one thing through personal experimentation. If I skip my one blood thinner dose that is scheduled to be taken the night before my shot, I get little to no floaters, less or smaller bowling balls floating around in my eye after the shot, & my vision seems to return quicker.

[Jill13]

Hi Lynard

I am like you on Eliquis and have just been diagnosed with wet AMD in one eye after both eyes being dry for 15 years . I was first on Xarelto but only changed to Eliquis about 9 months ago. I did ask my RS about this and he said it was not related but I don’t feel 100% sure

I also stopped Eliquis for 24 hours before my injection in case it caused extra bleeding but didn’t tell him that

I also would be interested in others opinions but as I take Eliquis for atrial fibrillation so probably can’t go off an anticoag anyway

[Lynard in reply to Jill13]

Thanks for all replies. As my eye was perfect on 7/23 and on 8/24 diagnosed with Wet AMD and received the first shot of Avastin, I asked my Ophthalmologist, my RS and my IM primary, nobody would give me an answer about the Eliquis. I was just started on it 6/2/20 with a one time episode of A-Fib. It was the first culprit I suspected. I did speak with another RS and he said it would be better if I weren't on blood thinners, so now I am torn. I have a family history of both A-Fib and Wet AMD. It sucks. Therefore, I made a pretty independent decision to stop the blood thinners until my next appt at the end of this month, 9/2020. I will post results. Did anyone get second opinions on treatment? Nobody seems to be willing to tell me how one drug is selected over another.....

[Atlas1522]

I was put on Eliquis for AFib in 2018 and got Wet AMD 3-4 months later,, I asked my Retina Specialist, Cardiologist and MD and even my Pharmacist if there might be a connection between starting Eliquis and the bleed, none of them made the connection but then I was switched to Eylea I then decided to get a Watchman implanted in my heart and stop the blood thinners my eyes have been dry ever since but due to protocol I’m still getting Eylea shots in my eyes. I’m glad I followed my instincts and had the Watchman implanted and stopped the blood thinners my eyes have been dry ever since.

[Lynard in reply to Atlas1522]

Thanks for sharing. My cardiologist will not recommend the Watchman devise at this time.However, I have not required an injection since this past November and I am very thankful! I do continue on the Eliquis twice a day.

[Atlas1522]

Good luck, hope all goes well for you Lynard

[Atlas1522]

I’m afraid to stop the Eylea shots but I only get them every three months now, my ophthalmologist said they’ve only study them for three month intervals and if I got another bleed I’d have to start from the beginning again but I’m trying to go longer then three months between shots🤞🤞