Macular Oedema

[MichaelJH]

This week I went for my years late retinal screening. I had noticed I was starting to struggle with small print but put it down to using an old pair of reading glasses (my 2019 ones having broken) and maybe needing some laser treatment. The outcome was a shock. There is no need for anything like laser treatment but I was diagnosed with macular oedema in the right eye. The OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan compared to 2019 looks distinctly worrying.

Anyway I am going to start a five month course of monthly Eylea injections (hopefully quite soon). The thought of the injections is quite daunting even after an estimated 70,000 insulin injections. Scrolling through the posts I have not been.able to find any posts on macular oedema. So I am after experiences of this condition.

Strangely my best friend from primary school was diagnosed with macular atrophy a few weeks ago.

[Koalajane]

I have macular oedema. I have regular injections. Do not worry about them as you get plenty of numbing drops and don’t feel anything but maybe a bit of pressure. For me the worst part is having blurry eyes for over 4 hours after so I don’t do anything. I hope things go well for you

[Caradog29]

I’ve got macular oedema in my left eye and had macular degeneration in my right. Had about 6 injections in my right and fluid gone.Just had third injection in my left, getting slightly better.

Injections themselves fine. Not painful, as someone says you just feel slight pressure. Gets a bit scratchy like grit in your eye, but usually fine next day. Don’t worry it’s not as bad as it sounds!

[doubleorbust]

Hi there Michael. I second what others have replied. I've had 6 injections and never found them painful. The eye is one of the easiest organs to anaesthetise. I'm thinking that macular oedema sounds like wet macular degeneration. If someone can confirm that then you will find lots more information here by searching wet AMD. All the best.

[tallyho in reply to doubleorbust]

I think it’s DMO but it’s treated the same way as AMD.

[MichaelJH in reply to tallyho]

DMO being?

[tallyho in reply to MichaelJH]

Diabetic Macular Odema in other words caused due to diabetes

[RP1944 in reply to doubleorbust]

You are very lucky not to have painful injections. Every injection I have is very painful, the anesthetic drops do not work, how ever many they use.

[MichaelJH in reply to RP1944]

This does worry me as when I had cataracts done I needed multiple injections of local anesthetic. In fact on this, the right, eye I needed a triple dose which the surgeon and anesthetist had not encountered previously.

[MichaelJH in reply to RP1944]

I started treatment last week. After telling them about my previous experience they said they put in the maximum numbing drops. At first it felt like pressure but then it was agony. I was willing to say I was the schoolkids who helped the Great Train Robbers, that I was a double agent whilst at Polytechnic, etc. Already dreading the next one but it has to be done!

[tallyho]

Hi Michael I guess you have T1D hence needing 5 injections. Is it DMO you have been diagnosed with? I have DMO myself. I have had it for quite a few years and started treatment in 2011 back then they did not have the drugs they use now but a different one so I am still having injections. It’s actually not too bad I am an injection buddy and often speak to people on the phone before an injection to answer questions etc.

[tallyho in reply to tallyho]

Sorry DMO = Diabetic Macular Odema I guess that because you mention 5 injections these are loading injections to see how you respond those with diabetes sometimes respond a little slower to injections so they are given 5 instead of 3 injections. Happy to answer any questions you have. I also run a DMO support group via zoom once a month if your interested.

[MichaelJH in reply to tallyho]

I may do but I think I need a new PC first!

[MichaelJH in reply to tallyho]

Yes Type I since childhood - a very long time but I still do not like injections! ☹️

[tallyho in reply to MichaelJH]

Oh bless you, me only 25 years been on an insulin pump for last 11.

[tallyho in reply to tallyho]

Quite a few things in your original post hinted you were T1D

[MichaelJH in reply to tallyho]

With terms like "retinal screening" and "laser treatment" one does not need to be Inspector Morse! 😁

Only leg pulling! 🦵

[Koalajane]

I don’t know about Michael but I am type 2 diabetic and have been in remission for over 4 years but still need injections. I have PMR and have to take steroids which spike my sugars

[Joyful2]

I have wet AMD and have gotten left eye injections for 7 years. My right eye has been fine. I instill saline drops on the way to my appointment as I do have a long-standing history of dry eyes and this also helps (for me) with the injection.

I use Refresh Plus, preservative free, single use vial. Sometimes I need to hold the vial with tip downward and give it a shake to dispense the drops. I like single-use vs a bottle to prevent contamination of the drops.

Most times the injection is a pressure as others describe. I get the numbing drops and numbing injection.

What I have found most beneficial is to have my eye patched post injection. I find that keeps my eye moist. When I didn’t patch, my eye became irritated, blinking a lot and I put saline drops in quite frequently. It also helps with keeping the eye closed while being transported home (you’ll need a driver) from the sunlight.

Good luck to you! I also look at the process that for any discomfort with the injection process, it’s worth it versus the alternative.

[MichaelJH in reply to Joyful2]

I occasionally use Viscotears as I have suffered dry eyes since cataract surgery 16 years ago.

[tallyho in reply to Joyful2]

Just wondering do you get anti biotic drops after your injection?