AMD in one eye: Hi everyone, I was just... - Macular Society

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AMD in one eye

wanttosee profile image
19 Replies

Hi everyone,

I was just diagnosed with AMD 3 weeks ago. My mother has it for 35 years now and I have been getting yearly exams. My doctor noticed drusen for the past 30 years but they never changed. 3 weeks ago I got up and the casement lines around my windows were all wavy...and my eyesight is blurry. There is also a blackish spot in my vision when I look straight ahead. It was really strange. I went to my doctor right away who diagnoses I had AMD. He sent me to a specialist who confirmed it and gave me a shot of avastin in my eye. That was two weeks ago. The wavy lines have calmed down a bit but the blurriness is just as bad. I know at the time of my appointment the doctor said my eyesight should clear up by spring as I caught it early and it is a mild form. Has anyone noticed that there eyesight gets better and clearer after the second and even the third shot or does what I have now permanent?

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19 Replies
springcross profile image
springcross

Hi wanttosee and welcome to the forum. Usually, it gets better as you have more injections and then when it looks fairly stable, they leave longer intervals between injections. When are you having your second injection?

wanttosee profile image
wanttosee in reply tospringcross

February 26th. The doctor and nurse were very supportive and said this is one of the more mild cases they have seen but I am 56 years old and just really nervous about the future. My mom unfortunately had no options to help her when she was diagnosed and pretty much blind after 6 months. She was 48. I am glad to see there are options out there right now and just interested to hear about others journeys through this.

springcross profile image
springcross in reply towanttosee

That's reassuring to know it's one of the more mild cases. I'm not sure how long the injections are here in the UK between Avastin as I had Eylea and am now on Vabysmo but it usually starts off at 4-weeks in between for the first few doses and then depending on how your eye is responding, they leave it longer in between or wait until there is improvement. I can understand why you are nervous about the future and that is sad about your mum but try not to worry as things are improving regarding wet AMD all the time. Others on this forum will be along, weekends are normally quiet but keep looking in won't you. Take care. x

wanttosee profile image
wanttosee in reply tospringcross

Typically 4-weeks but I had to go five due to another appointment. I was told 1 week should be OK. Thank you for your response and you take care also.

springcross profile image
springcross in reply towanttosee

👍You're very welcome.

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply tospringcross

Hi there all loading doses are 4 weeks a part and generally you have 3 or 4. Then in the UK you are on a treat and extend regime.

I really hope all goes well for you wanttosee. Mild AMD is the best news you can have when having retinal disease.

springcross profile image
springcross in reply totallyho

Hi tallyho. You've responded to me and not wanttosee. 🙂

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply tospringcross

Yes that was on purpose cos you said you were not sure of the loading dose for the injections and then I added in wanttosee’s name to wish them well. 😀

springcross profile image
springcross in reply totallyho

What I said was "I'm not sure how long the injections are here in the UK between Avastin as I had Eylea and am now on Vabysmo" but thanks anyway. 🙂

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply tospringcross

Yes you were not sure so I was letting you know. That was all. That’s why I left a gap in the message and underneath mentioned whantosee. 😀

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply totallyho

Also how is Vabysmo working for you? I know that is a 4 injection loading dose.

springcross profile image
springcross in reply totallyho

Initially not too good and I almost requested to go back to Eylea but decided to give it one more go and I'm really glad I did. I had the usual 4-weekly then five and six and I've almost gone eight weeks this time and if it's still dry this week, it'll be another eight weeks or longer. It's taken longer for me (five years) as the fluid has always been very stubborn!

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply tospringcross

Oh my word that is brilliant! I have DMO not AMD We could not continue with Vabysmo as my fluid went up to 650 microns. Been having injections every month since 2011 as I also have ischemia in both eyes they had to give up on the left one back in 2013. I wish you well. I am back on the Eylea and the difference has been amazing picture included. Top one 2 dose of Eylea once going back bottom picture after 3 rd dose going back. This is my best eye.

It’s a photo of my OCT showing the difference in fluid which has gone between injections.
springcross profile image
springcross in reply totallyho

Thank you, I'm very pleased but I'm not complacent as my eye has let me down before so I just live in hope! I see what you mean about yours, it's really good and I hope that continues to improve for you. 🙂

Penelopeflower profile image
Penelopeflower

hello wanttosee, I have wet amd in one eye and dry in the other, and have been having injections for a few years for the wet amd which have helped tremendously, am now down to every four months, and if all well, will soon be just monitored without further injections, it is good that you have a mild form and had injection so quickly, the blurriness should get better, it seems you are getting good and prompt attention, the injections really do help, always discuss your concerns with the doctors, and good luck to you, all sounds very positive so far.

wanttosee profile image
wanttosee in reply toPenelopeflower

That is what I have been told. Wet in my left eye and dry in my right eye. So far my right eye is unaffected and my doctor says that might be the case, may just stay that way. My left eye however is the one with the wavy lines and blurriness. My doctor reassured me that my eye should clear up and be back to seeing clearly by spring with the shots but I just am a little worried as the first shot of Avastin helped but not a whole lot. Maybe something different the next shot. I hope to be able to say in a few years that my vision is better and stable and I am down to injections every few months such as you. Sounds like things went well with your treatment. You give me encouragement. Thank you.

Boatmaster profile image
Boatmaster

Hi Wanttosee,

based on my own experience you should see the blurriness go. Hopefully!

Originally I thought the bluriness I was experiencing was to do with my glasses. I kept trying to clean them without success. Eventually, I decided that there must be a problem with the lens on the right side and went to Specsavers to get some new glasses.

Probably saved my sight! No problems with lens but with my eye. They phoned the eye clinic whilst I was there and made an appointment.

Four years later I can still drive, legally, and my sight is stabilised.

Initially I had a jab every 4 weeks but that is now every 12 weeks thanks to Vabysmo.

So, good luck. I hope all goes well for you.

Best wishes John.

wanttosee profile image
wanttosee in reply toBoatmaster

Thank you John. I am just hoping my sight is stabilized and like you can still drive legally and continue to work. I am 56 years old and had a lot of plans after retirement but that changes quickly if I can't see well. Thank you for the encouragement. Tom

Rosalyn-helpline profile image
Rosalyn-helplinePartner

Hello wanttosee,

The first three injections are usually referred to as the loading dose, and should be no more than a month apart.

The function of the injections for wet AMD is to suppress the abnormal blood vessels developing behind the retina, stabilise the eye, maintain vision and prevent further damage.

Although the injections are primarily aimed towards maintaining as opposed to improving vision, individuals can report a slight improvement within the first 2-3 injections. It can take more than one injection to start stabilising the eye.

Your ophthalmologist is optimistic, which is the important factor.

Usually you will have more tests after your initial loading dose, followed by a review with the ophthalmologist, when you can discuss how your eye is responding to the injections.

I have copied links to our booklets, Early AMD:

macularsociety.org/media/zv...

and, Treatment for AMD:

macularsociety.org/media/p5...

plus, Emotional impact:

macularsociety.org/media/2r...

Kind regards,

Macular Society Helpline

0300 3030 111

help@macularsociety.org

macularsociety.org

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