Eyelea injections

[RP1944]

Yesterday I went to the eye clinic for an Eyelea injection. The anesthetic eye drops never work so injection always hurts. Therefore I get anxious. Into injection room and expected to lie in chair with head a foot from the floor and feet high, this makes me feel unwell so asked chair to be raised a bit so body level. Anxiety increasing. After preparing eye they put covering over face n left me. That finished me off, had a huge panic attack, passed out and ended up in the floor. After recovering the Doctor did the injection but is now reluctant to give me any more. I’m wondering if anyone else has this anxiety problem and if they have overcome it. Thanks for reading.x

[springcross]

That sounds absolutely dreadful RP1944!! Unfortunately, you aren't alone as there is another member here who the anaesthetics don't work for! Why on earth do you have to lie with your head so close to the floor? It sounds a bit bizarre but I suppose they have their reasons and I assume they left you to give the anaesthetic time to work - if only it would! I've had the anaesthetic experience a couple of times and know how painful it is and I was told it was the batch and had affected all patients who had received them. I'm not surprised you suffer panic attacks as after my first experience, it left me dreading each one for a very long time. Have you asked if there is another type they could try?

[RP1944 in reply to springcross]

Thank you for your reply. This clinic is the first one I have had the weird experience of head down so low (second time I’ve been there for injections) and I don’t understand why. I have asked my Doctor if other anesthetic is available, to be told, no , this is what they use. My Doctor used to work at a private clinic and has now moved to our health service so I followed her to her new practice. She hires a theatre at a large nearby clinic to carry out injections. I have a follow up appointment next month, so will have a chat about yesterday’s experience.

[springcross in reply to RP1944]

Good luck next month, let us know how it goes.

[RP1944 in reply to springcross]

Thank you. Will do.x

[Koalajane]

I am usually okay with the injection procedure. I have to say o prefer it if it is a female injector.

At my clinic there is always a nurse and an injector and you never feel alone. They keep talking to you and explain what they are doing. I always ask for more anaesthetising drops and if it does hurt I have come to realise it is no worse than a flu jab and only lasts for a very short time.

I realise that all injectors seem to have slightly different methods but if they do put the mask over my eye I can usually see something and they talk to me and I wouldn’t be left on my own.

I think that you need to discuss this further with your opthamologist.

[RP1944 in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you for your reply. I’m in Cyprus and the nurses at this clinic are very brusque and talk very little, just commands, such as, ‘shut your eye’. I have a follow up appointment on the 18th November and will be having a chat about my experience nyesterday.

[jwitts]

My ophthalmologist provides an anaesthetizing injection after the drops and before the eyelea jab, so it’s pretty much painless. She told me that before this many patients had been afraid and depressed when they came to see her. I’ve been going to her for several years without any concern or mishap.

[RP1944]

what a wonderful ophthalmologist you have, a kind and caring lady.

[Penelopeflower]

So sorry to hear of your bad experience, I have been having Eyelea injections for some years now, the chair I s always placed at a comfortable level, lying back but certainly not close to the floor, and quite a few drops are given to ensure the eye is well numbed, the injection itself is not painful, all you feel is pressure. Please discuss your experience with whoever is in charge at the clinic, I do hope that things improve on your next visit, everyone is nervous, and they should be doing all they can to help you feel more at ease. Best wishes.

[middlejoel in reply to Penelopeflower]

As Penelopeflower mention,, I sit on a medical chair, staff gets me ready and the ophthalmolo gists comes in the room, shoots the breeze for a coule of minutes followed by 2 injections and goodby, you are ready to go.

[Shimano]

The aneAsthetic drops do not work for me either. I am also allergic to iodine. My first year of injections were horrific, especially as no one seemed to believe me. I was terrified and can relate to your anxiety attacks. I now have an aneAsthetic injection prior to the eylea jag and an alternative solution to iodine. I still don’t like the injections and sometimes have a bad bleed but there is no comparison to my previous experience. Studies in the Mexican institute showed that 6% of patients receiving Injections suffer pain levels between 6 and 10, so we are not alone. It is not easy to stand up for yourself in this situation but I hope you can get some support to do this. The head down situation sounds awful. You should at least have this situation explained to you. Heartfelt sympathy and good luck.

[eyeglass]

So sorry to hear of your experience!

I gave up injections because the last one actually caused more (internal) bleeding BUT I was on the verge of stopping anyway as I found them painful and the clinic did not have a way of dealing with me in a sympathetic manner (apart from one junior Dr. who I haven't seen now for a while). I'm still toying with changing hospitals. I've since had another bleed a month ago and prob need more injections again and don't know what to do. I am scared of the pain.

Have you asked for more/different anaesthetic drops? Apparently this helps some ppl.

The pre-emptive anxiety is a real problem!!! I imagine if I do reinstate the injections, I'll 'knock myself out' with a double dose of diazepam, not ideal.

[RP1944 in reply to eyeglass]

I can understand why you have stopped having the injections, it’s miserable when the injections hurt, when really they shouldn’t . I’ve been told they only use one type of anesthetic drops so cannot try any different anesthetic which could possibly work. You might find a different clinic has more sympathetic staff, might be worth a try changing if you can. I can relate to the diazepam, if I continue to have injections I will ask my doctor if she can prescribe me some just for injection day. I do hope you manage to find another clinic. Best wishes to you.xx

[Koalajane]

I always take some paracetamol before, but tell myself if I can have a flu jab without any anaesthetic I should be able to cope with an injection in my eye. I have asked for extra drops. I am always happier when I see a female injector rather than a male!

[RP1944 in reply to Koalajane]

I have always had a female injector. I think a lot of the problem is the anesthetic drops gravitate to the bottom of the eye and my Doctor, who is actually a very nice lady, always injects at the top of the eye, hence the pain. If she and I agree to carry on with the injections I will ask if she can prescribe something for my anxiety, just as a one off for injection day. I had a tetanus jab last month as I got bitten by an unfriendly dog, that didn’t phase me at all.

[eyeglass in reply to RP1944]

Yeah, I have had 50+ years of daily injections (Type 1 diabetic) & have no fear of injections or blood tests but the pain from eye injections is something else, however quickly it’s over, and so pre-emptively freaks me out. It’s just wrong that you’re not being offered a different or additional anaesthetic! xx

[JJnan]

I'm so very sorry yur having such an awful time , i've never heard of a chair that low!!..my clinic uses a normal height bed ...and your not alone with abrupt Doctors/nurses...not all thankfully ...i hope you can get the anaesthetic problem sorted out, that at least will help you, wishing you good luck xxx

[RP1944 in reply to JJnan]

Thank you. Why they insist on such a low chair bed I don’t know. In the UK I had a normal height bed and even a pillow (which was obviously covered for hygiene purposes) which was much more comfortable and 9 times out of 10 the injection didn’t hurt. Usually only caused by a longer than usual wait after eye drops put in. Even at the private clinic I went to here in Cyprus they use the same anesthetic drops. I will have to see what transpires when I see the doctor for the next check up as to whether I continue to have injections. I would be happy to give them up but don’t want to lose the sight in my eye. Life is complicated sometimes!!

[Redmakesmehappy]

I take a Valium and two Tylenol before I go for my injections in both eyes. Helps my anxiety, I still feel the anxiety the day of injection until I take the Valium. It is the only time I ever take a Valium, injection day.

[midancer in reply to Redmakesmehappy]

I would like to take something like Valium too but I’m afraid it would interfere with the eye test they have me take prior to the injection. Does it for you?

[Redmakesmehappy in reply to midancer]

I never thought about it, I usually do okay, what does bother me though. Is dry eyes. I can see to read the chart better if I use something for my dry eyes few minutes before I read the eye chart

[RP1944]

I can understand you taking Valium before you go for injections. How you cope having injections in both eyes I don’t know. You are very brave.

[Redmakesmehappy in reply to RP1944]

Not really brave, just don’t have transportation to go a different day so have to get both same day!

[Koalajane]

I usually have injections in both eyes but my left eye has improved.

Strangely I found that my left eye never hurts but my right eye can, but only for a millisecond

[Eyechat]

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I have never heard of making you go a foot from the floor. I'm always sitting up in a regular position. How traumatic! If the drops don't work they should try another kind. Is there is anyway you could find someplace else to go?

[RP1944 in reply to Eyechat]

I’ve been with this Doctor several years now, she used to work at a private clinic, where she carried out checkups and injections. Then at the end of last year she joined the health service. She does checkups at her practice but injections are done at a local eye clinic which basically hires out theatre's to Doctors. I could go back to the private clinic but then I have to get funding from the health ministry, who will pay 800eu towards the injection and I pay 200eu towards the injection. Checkups 50eu. Using the health service I pay 6eu per visit so a huge difference. My Doctor is actually very nice, it’s the place that’s being used for the injections that is causing the problem. Unfortunately everywhere seems to use the same anesthetic drops, no other option available I’ve been told. I’m between a rock and a hard place.

[Lupin1587]

I'm so sorry this happened to you.I had a corneal abrasion after an injection in July. The pain from this scratch to my eye was horrendous. I stopped treatment until October in order to make my own arrangements to make sure I never suffered this pain again.

Can you request a different method for your next treatment? I go to one hospital where you sit in a chair and another where you lie down on a hospital bed. The chair one sitting upright I find best for me.

I too suffer anxiety from this treatment. I take codeine painkillers before I go and these do seem to help.

I wish you the very best.

[RP1944 in reply to Lupin1587]

Thank you. I hope by now your eye has healed and you don’t have any pain. I’m not sure what is going to happen for future (if any) injections at the moment. Glad the codeine help. Best wishes to you.

[ColWi]

My Retinologis also injects a small amount of lidocaine under my eye at the bottom in the skin. I really helps. I also get tons of an ointment called Tobradex which also helps.

[Catseyes235]

If I were you I’d change clinic! I rarely experience any pain at all, actually never had any real pain just pressure, and have had at least 10 different injectors in the last 6 years, the worst was a woman that thought being patient and going slowly was the answer.

You are not receiving enough anaesthetic drops …I get three lots and before injection I’m asked if I can feel a pointer pressing on the injection point.

The head down feet up position is just ridiculous! How dare a doctor ignore your feelings and say you might not get injections. If I was treated like this I’d get anxious too!! Wonder what the macular society have to say on this?? Don’t give in to pressure please ..you need the injections so maybe go back to your own doctor and explain your experience and how unhappy you were. Best wishes!

[eyeglass]

Hi, wondering how your follow up appointment went on 18th? Really hoping it was fruitful in finding compassion and a solution for you.

[RP1944 in reply to eyeglass]

Good morning, thank you for asking, in actual fact I didn’t make it clear that the follow up is 18th December. I’m not looking forward to it as I hate confrontation. Will keep you posted.x

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear RP1944,

The injections shouldn't be painful.

Please email us at the Macular Society, and we can send you our factsheet regarding pain and injections. This may be useful as a discussion point with your ophthalmologist:

Email: [e-mail]

I have copied a link to a research paper on painful injections that may also be useful as a discussion point:

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/...

Kind regards,

Macular Society helpline

[RP1944 in reply to Rosalyn-helpline]

Thank you so much Rosalyn. Will email you today.

[Diamonds273]

I take a painkiller about 20 minutes before the injection.tylynol works for me. I also ask the technician to do extra rinses it helps with the stinging.

[Hidden]

I’ve been mainly lucky with the shots although it has not been completely successful- I’m actually sitting in the eye unit waiting for an Ozurdex(?) steroid implant to see if that helps! But we were all told to be here for 12.30 it’s now 2.45 and have been seen to be checked in a short while ago but they hadn’t even decided the order of work!

[RP1944 in reply to Hidden]

Goodness me, that’s a long wait with no action. I do hope they see you soon and the implant works. Best wishes to you.xx

[Hidden]

Well, I was called about 2 minutes after my post!! The whole thing only took about 7 minutes-and all that waiting!!😠 Still, had a cup of tea and biscuits afterwards, and my favourite eye chappie was there to hold my hand while another did the deed! My check up is on 18th, and I will ask about the Eylea HD 8ml then.

[RP1944 in reply to Hidden]

That’s good, great news it all went well. Amazing you get tea and biscuits afterwards. Hope you have a good result from the implant. Will you still need injections or is the implant instead of injections? Best wishes.xx

[Hidden in reply to RP1944]

Thank you! Supposed to take the place of injections if it works-about 50/50 odds. So I'm keeping my fingers AND toes crossed! Should be able to have longer between shots, but still have to be monitired.