Black disc in vision after injection

[Knitcat]

Hi, I had my 2nd injection yesterday & have a large ish black round disc in my vision. It moves with my eye & it looks as though it’s a few inches outside of my eye. It has a defined dark edge which fades towards the centre of the disc. I was told it is the medication, has anyone else experienced this?

[Carol_MacularSociety Partner]

Dear Knitcat,

Here is an excerpt from our Macular Society magazine, Sideview, Winter 2017, Issue 122

Why do I see blobs after an injection?

Winifred Amoaku, University Hospital Nottingham

“Coat buttons”, “shiny black Polo mints” or “black discs” – people posting on the Macular Society forum have many names for the dark circles they sometimes see after an injection. But what are they? Winfried Amoaku from University Hospital Nottingham answers your questions.

Q What causes them?

A The “discs” are caused by small bubbles of air getting into the vitreous jelly inside your eye during an injection. Although they can be distracting or worrying, they will usually disappear by themselves within a couple of days.

Q Why do they have a lighter centre?

A Light passing through the centre of the bubble travels straight through and reaches the retina relatively directly. But light hitting the curved top or bottom of a bubble is refracted (or bent), both as it enters the bubble and as it comes out the other side. That means the light is bent away from the retina and isn’t detected by the light-sensing cells, so there’s a dark area around the lighter central spot.

Q If they’re air bubbles, why are they at the bottom of my vision? Shouldn’t they float?

A They do! But as light travels through the eye, the image is flipped upside down, and it’s up to your brain to flip it back the right way again. That means that things at the ‘top’ of your retina (like the air bubbles) appear at the ‘bottom’ of your vision.

Q Should I be worried?

A Most of the time the bubbles will gradually shrink and disappear by themselves. If they’re still there after a few days, or you notice any change to your vision, speak to your consultant.

The Macular Society Helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111. Alternatively, you can contact us via: [e-mail]

Best wishes,

Carol

Macular Society Helpline

[Knitcat in reply to Carol_MacularSociety]

Hi Carol, thank you so much, that is very reassuring. I was worried when the ‘blob’ was still there this morning.

Thank goodness for the Macular Society

Huge thanks ☺️

[Koalajane in reply to Knitcat]

I had 3 once after an injection which was so much like Mickey Mouse. I was upset when it left!

[Knitcat in reply to Koalajane]

One wobbly blob is more than enough for me x

[magicman229 in reply to Koalajane]

That attitude will guarantee you will live to 112! I play games with mine, try to look right at it and it always moves away. I had one day before yesterday that looked like a donut. But never had Mickey in there. That one belongs in the Floater Hall of Fame!

[wanttosee]

Had the same thing two days ago and this was my fourth injection. As I was walking out to the car after my injection I thought I had a black blob of ink on my shirt and wondered where that came from. It then moved when I would look down or to the side. Went back in and talked to the doctor and he said thats normal, happens about 20% of the time. Its an air bubble in the serum from the needle and will be gone within a day. It was gone by the next morning. Creepy to say the least but something I will know about going forward now.

[Knitcat in reply to wanttosee]

Thank you for that, it’s good to know what it is & that others have had the same experience. I can still see it wobbling about but it is a bit smaller & the edges are blurred, Hope it disappears soon x

[wanttosee in reply to Knitcat]

Yeah..I was told within 48 hours for sure so it should be gone soon for you. Good luck.

[Knitcat in reply to wanttosee]

Thank you very much x

[springcross]

Hi Knitcat. I sometimes get different sizes of black polo mints but know how you felt - I really freaked out the first time as I thought it was something serious!

[Knitcat in reply to springcross]

Yes I was worried about it & also because I wasn’t warned it could happen. Thankfully it’s disappeared today. 🙂

[Catseyes235]

I used to get those more and one with a gold spinning centre stayed for a while. I still have black dots but am quite used to them.. occasionally I think I’ve seen an insect and birdwatching can be problematic when looking for birds high up in the sky ….is it a bird, is it a plane …no it’s an injection site!!

[Knitcat in reply to Catseyes235]

Haha… I kept thinking the cat was sneaking up on me, when she was fast asleep as usual. I expect there’s going to be a lot of new experiences to get used to now. Thanks for sharing & for including a bit of humour 🙂