Effectiveness of injection dependent on who is doing it.

[Blindbasset]

Is there a right way or wrong way to do the injection? Can results vary depending on the doctor administering the drug? It seems it is for me or is it just a coincidence . Since my doctor has changed, the treatment seems to be less effective.

[Koalajane]

I think there is only one way to inject

[Blindbasset in reply to Koalajane]

Thanks Koalajane. I thought as much but the 2nd doctor injects it very differently. Sometimes on the left of the pupil. Sometimes on the right and it’s very painful when he does it.

[Koalajane in reply to Blindbasset]

Hi, my injections are always in the corner of my eye away from my nose

[Penelopeflower]

Hi, my injections are always in the corner of the eye, if sufficient numbing drops are given, there should not be a lot of pain, just not very comfortable, and certainly in my case as long as you use the drops they give you when you get home which help, in a day or so there is usually no real discomfort. Best wishes.

[springcross in reply to Penelopeflower]

I'm never given eye drops. I think maybe once or twice in the beginning I was but that was about two years ago and it was because I had started having dry eyes.

[Penelopeflower in reply to springcross]

Hello, it might be worth asking them when you next go, they normally give me two little phials of eye drops in case there is any discomfort after injections, just enough for a couple of days.

[springcross in reply to Penelopeflower]

Many thanks for that Pf. x

[Hidden]

My body's reaction to the injection is different since changing facilities and MDs. I run fairly high on the inflammatory scale...systemically speaking (throughout the body) so if I eat too much fatty food or salt my reactions are different. I agree that there is (or must be) only one way to inject into the eyeball. My tolerance depends largely on outside factors; I changed facilities due to the lack of care from the surgeon and especially his staff.

After 6 years I left him for another, one who is the associate professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington.

Not only have my adverse reactions eased but I feel far more confident with her. She answers questions!

Then again..she is a professor.

For me my comfort is 75% of my continued recovery.

Hope this helps.

Holly

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Good Morning Blindbasset,

All medical staff who give these injections are trained to give the injections the same way. It could just be a coincidence that the injections are becoming more painful with your new doctor. It could be worth discussing this with your consultant so they can help identify any issues and help rectify to make the experience more comfortable for you. For example, you may need a few more anaesthetic drops etc.

All the best

Becky

[Blindbasset in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Thank you. I do think they are giving me fewer drops.

[RP1944]

I believe that there is only one way to inject, a lot depends on how well the anesthetic drops are administered as to whether the injection hurts or not.

[Hrosie]

As Koalajane says, there is only one way to do injection, but the experience can vary depending on the practitioner. I've been having Lucentis injections for approx. 3 years. & only had two occasions when the injection was very painful - I mentioned that to the opthalmologist at the time who said he would recommend that I had a stronger dose of anaesthetic drops for future injections & he put this recommendation in writing in my case notes for future reference. When I attend for injections now the staff usually spot this in my notes but I always remind them just in case.

[Blindbasset in reply to Hrosie]

Thanks Hrosie. The pain that I experience for a second is well worth it. However, the macular degeneration itself is getting a little worse since this doctor took over. Maybe it’s a coincidence.

[springcross]

Hi Blindbasset. I have been having injections in the upper left of my eye for over two years, whether that will change in the future or not I don't know but I haven't yet heard of anyone who has it on the right side of the eye (that's not to say that it doesn't happen with other people though).

[carrell]

Yes I think it does depend on who does it, I have had two horrendous ones, with yellow pus coming out bleeding down cheek and huge swollen eye. I explained what had happened and the new chap who did it said he knew what had happened but would not tell me. He did the injection and it was perfect - others have been painful, others have given me a very red eye etc...it does depend on who does it I am sure.

[Blindbasset in reply to carrell]

Oh my. I’ve not had as horrendous experience as yours. Mine is just painful momentarily at time of injection. My larger concern is that there hasn’t been much improvement as in drying since this doctor took over. I was concerned that the way he injected had something to do with it

[Ayralin]

For those who like to research and learn. "How to give eye injections " aao.org/eyenet/article/how-...

Interview of retinal doctors and the differences in injection technique in the USA, but it is from 10 years ago, so maybe different now. It does show how technique will vary between practioners. retinalphysician.com/issues...