Got off with just 1 EYLEA injection!

[IBBB]

Had my first EYLEA injection in May in left eye. This follows repeated episodes of CSR since 2004. Then one episode of CNV in 2019 and again in March this year.

The consultants have never been sure if the CNV was due to CSR or WMD. Either way the March episode was worse than anything had before and I couldn't go on with the 'heat haze' vision and having to look at TV or anything up close with my left hand over my eye! so gave in to the injections.

Booked for 3. The first of course, when needle goes in eye, is damn painful but fortunately brief, and other than that no side effects or discomfort. I was prepared to go the course. My vision improved drastically on the 14th day exactly after injection and so far - after nearly 4 months - has held.

Because I got chest pains about 5-6 days after and have had to have all manner of tests and examinations, the doctors advised against having any more injections just in case connected. (Seems it wasn't and is muscular based, and nothing to do with the heart.) Had my review last week, and the consultant said it was very rare to see such improvement after just one injection - said I was 'an anomaly'! - and has now just put me down for 3 monthly reviews.

I am not expecting I won't need more injections in the future, which could I suppose could be as soon as before Xmas or not for another year or more, but they don't know. But what I know now is that when I do, if I find my vision has improved after just the one injection again, then I will not have the further 2. The consultant this last time told me that 3 were only given because most people don't show much improvement after the first one as I had, and need the 3, and said the 3 was what they found worked best in patients with WMD CNV. However, although they didn't know what caused mine, they weren't expecting one injection to work.

So all in all, good for now! What I would say to others particularly those who like me have had long time CSR and then turned into CNV, talk to the doctors if they are unsure of cause and go one injection at a time and see if you have any improvement in vision.

[springcross]

Hi IBBB. I'm really glad to know it worked so well for you and that you don't need another. Long may that be the case for you. All the best. x

[Ruffles21]

Really pleased for you though disappointing to hear your injection was painful. I have now had seven and not felt any of them. If you do need further injections make sure you have enough numbing eye drops and they have time to work.

[pila123]

hello, this situation seems like very good news, hope this is all you need. I have a family member with a similar situation but he has had 26 recurrences so we think he might need treatments for life, we also dont know if the problem will stay in one eye or at some point also affect the other,,, we are praying it doesnt as with all this recurrences he is at high risk for wet AMD in the future,,, not sure if at old age or 10 or 20 or 30 years,,, who knows??

but besides your thoughts on this, I wanted to ask you how do people afford these expensive treatments for so long? it is just an added stress that we dont know what to do with,,, he is only 41 and has been dealing for this with 7 years,,, 2 and a half years ago he had an argon laser and it worked wonders, but now he has a new episode,, and he wants to get laser again,,, we'll see, this is all so unknown

hope to hear from you soon

pila

[IBBB in reply to pila123]

I see you are in Mexico. Fortunately here in UK all the injections, consultations, tests etc are free, courtesy of our wonderful NHS.

[IBBB]

Sorry for long absence!

Well, coming up to a year on from the injection, all still relatively good. Last check before Christmas there was a little fluid, but nothing they are going to act on.

Due next check in 2 weeks.

My vision is a little dimmed, I think, though in both eyes, which I feel may be more age and perhaps coming to needing glasses more aside from just using for reading. But no wavy CNV distortion.

Because they don't know whether mine is atypical CSR or CNV, I feel we are all taking it month by month, and just treating what may come up.