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Macular Condition

(9 Posts)
Goldieoldie15 Mon 14-Aug-23 08:21:22

I purposely do not call it by its correct term “degeneration” as it seems to sound so morbid. 2 months ago I was diagnosed with the Wet MD. I went for cataract assessment and hoping to have an appointment for that. I came out of the Eye Clinic totally shattered on being told I have the condition. I only vaguely heard of this before and mainly in relation to Judy Dench who allegedly suffers from it. I alteady have had two injections in both eyes. The first went very well and I even did not suffer from any discomfort other than 2-3 hour blurring of vision. I therefore felt very confident when having the 2nd one 4 weeks later. The nurse administering the injection kept prodding my eyeball asking if I can still feels the prods. This was to test whether or not the anaesthetic was working. Finally, after many prods, the injection was done. I came home and an hour later develop a severe pain in the prodded eye. Ended up in AandE of a local hospital at 8 in the evening. Luckily my son was with me.?No damage done but the pain persisted for about the next 18 hours. I phoned the ophthalmologist running the clinic who explained it was the result of too much iodine being applied to the eye. And assured me my next visit will be closely monitored. But I am still dreading it. I live on my own and my family live other side of the world. I would love to hear from others who experienced similar. Just so I do not feel so alone with it.

Hetty58 Mon 14-Aug-23 08:29:05

Too much iodine? I'd be complaining about that - as it caused so much pain and worry. Maybe your next visit could be somewhere else? Discuss it with your GP.

Septimia Mon 14-Aug-23 09:45:45

A friend of mine, who is in her 90s, has had WMD for a number of years and has had many injections. Occasionally the person giving the injection is less dexterous and it's a bit uncomfortable. However, usually she just has a bit of soreness/grittiness in the eye when the anaesthetic wears off and by the next morning all is fine. She can still read, is quite capable and lives alone.

I hope your future injections will be better.

annsixty Mon 14-Aug-23 10:05:31

I had injections monthly for 18 months and they were always done by the Consultant.
No pain or discomfort, I would suggest it was the nurse and I would complain especially as it was so bad.

Sparklefizz Mon 14-Aug-23 10:11:23

I have a friend who has this and she has said that her consultant is excellent and it's all over and done with very quickly, but one time she had someone else who faffed around and made her very nervous and anxious.

I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience and, as others have said, I would complain and ask to see someone else.

Charleygirl5 Mon 14-Aug-23 10:20:47

I agree with ann. My consultant massages my closed eyelids but if I complain it is painful she stops immediately. My eyes are closed when the iodine is applied and then the anaesthetic drops are applied.

After your recent experience, I would not allow that nurse near me again. The iodine should not have touched your eyes which appears to be likely.

Hetty it is not a case of having it done elsewhere because one is referred to an ophthalmologist at a specific hospital and there one goes for treatment etc.

I do not have wet, mine is dry and I am taking part in a worldwide eye trial to stop it from getting worse, which it has done, but it will not improve my sight in that eye.

I have a monthly injection so it is the same, just mine is a different drug being applied.

Goldieoldie15 Wed 16-Aug-23 07:48:55

Thank you all for replying. I’m afraid I posted another thread in the same subject as I keep on getting “access denied” messages when I try to post. Don’t really understand why.

Kate1949 Wed 16-Aug-23 11:32:06

My husband has recently been diagnosed with the dry type. They just told him to buy Macushield which may help. They will just monitor it.

Ali08 Fri 18-Aug-23 10:19:23

I was diagnosed last year with Macular Degeneration, but was not told of either type just that they'd keep an eye on it - yes, it did make me chuckle.
I'm due for another eye test soon so I'll have to remember to ask about it. I do sometimes get a feeling of something in that eye, I'm not sure if it's to do with that but have made a note to ask about it as it can be quite annoying, like a floating eyelash kind of feeling always in the outside corner!