Corneal Abrasion

[DPOM]

Hello Everyone,

I have not had any eyelea injections since May 2023 but am due to get one next Tuesday and I have to admit that I am kinda frightened….why ? , cause I always used to get a corneal abrasion each time in my left eye and it was horrific.

The consultant thinks it’s due to a reaction to the betadine(iodine) and has decided to use chlorhexadine instead for disinfecting.

He will also put on a contact lens bandage too.

had anyone else had this problem with corneal abrasions and what have you taken to deal with the pain ?

Thanks

[Lizleiper]

yes I have had it happen to me 3 times and landed up in emergency department at the hospital. They could not do anything for me . The pain was indescribable !!! Ended up putting anaesthetic. Drops into my eye ! Had to go to next day clinic where the bandaged my eye tightly for a few days .

[DPOM in reply to Lizleiper]

something I learned is that if you get the consultant to put on a contact lens bandage immediately after the injection , it helps massively

[fed13 in reply to Lizleiper]

I am so sorry you're having the same trouble as me, though your experience is much worse. Try diluted iodine, or chlorhexidine. Avoid full strength iodine.

[tallyho]

I have there I have had a corneal abrasion but after 200+ injections in the same eye for DMO which I have the injections for I am not surprised. They are the defection of pain and I don’t blame you for being scared.

Mine were due to dry eyes and the dr could see the tear film was not good so I alway. Put a couple of drops of ciluvisc on my eye before hand. Your could well be the iodine if they have checked your tear film already. It sounds like a very good plan and I wish you well.

[Shimano]

have had the same horrific experience but don’t know if it was corneal abrasion. I am allergic to iodine and now get an alternative. I also get an injection of licodene prior to the eylea injection. This really helps. Still hurts sometimes but nowhere near the horrific experience we have both experienced. Good luck. Really feel for you.

[Paul_MacularSociety Administrator Macular Society]

Hello, This is actually relatively common, people can even develop a sensitivity to the iodine after several injections. Having it changed should prevent further pain or discomfort however your local pharmacy can give you eye drops to wash out any irritants following treatment.

[Lizleiper in reply to Paul_MacularSociety]

In my case it is not the iodine . I really believe it depends who does the injection . I now have the same person to do mine and have not had trouble since. I do notice lots more rinsing during the procedure and great care taken when putting in the clamp. The pain I had came 4 hours after injection and not during injection .

[DPOM in reply to Lizleiper]

I have had 2 different consultants do the injection and same result (corneal abrasion). I don’t have any pain during the injection but appears in the hours afterwards

[Lizleiper in reply to DPOM]

My eye is continually rinsed throughout procedure , so much so, my clothes are wet after injection . Then thick eye gel put in by the consultant after injection . Hope this helps . I can sympathise as there is no other pain like the pain from a cornea abrasion !!

[DPOM]

can anyone confirm if the iodine causes the corneal abrasion ? It seems to me that this ‘may’ be causing my issue

[Paul_MacularSociety Administrator Macular Society in reply to DPOM]

According to a US study. Iodine can cause a weakening of the epithelial integrity of the cornea. This means the protective layer is temporarily worn away and this causes the pain and discomfort. if you have a sensitivity to iodine then this could happen sooner witch would explain the pain you feel after its application. This is not permanent damage but it is important to report to your eye clinic any pain following treatment.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/286...

[fed13]

I had a terrible time with iodine. I had an excuciating eye. It was beyond sore. However I'm delighted to say using diluted iodine did the trick. I did suggest using chlorhexidine, but my Consultant much prefers iodine, even if it's diluted.

Incidentally I'm still having trouble trying to register my "likes". They come up as "unlike" which is infuriating. Do others have this trouble?

[rosyG]

I have had this and I ask for the speculum to be put I gently and also they wash the iodine out with normal saline I think it’s important to have the iodine but I don’t get sore now they wash out

[DPOM]

so, I had the procedure today……I discussed with consultant and asked for 3 things to the done as part of the procedure today:

1. Use chlorhexadine as antiseptic instead of iodine post and prior to injection. Iodine is known to cause issues and can/could cause the abrasion.

2.Allow time to have my eye fully open before inserting the speclum and insert it very gently.

3.Put on a contact lens bandage after the injection. Will remove on Friday.

It’s now 20.36 Irish time and I don’t have any issues thankfully. Nothing like what I had last time.

If you have had a corneal abrasion previously and are keen to avoid it , follow the above steps and you should be ok.