Has My Dry AMD Changed to Wet? Part 2
This article is Part 2 of a 2-part series. Read Part 1 here.
Sitting in the retina specialist’s waiting room, I was thinking about the prospect before me. Would the change I had noticed on the Amsler grid a few days ago mean that I now had wet macular degeneration? Before too long, I would find out.
My retina specialist gently confirmed my fears
All the usual tests were done, and then I was called in to see the doctor. He gently confirmed my fears. After 10 years of dry macular degeneration, 1 eye had now turned wet.
He explained what that meant, but I already knew the basics. I was too shocked to ask any questions of him, except for when I would have the injection. He replied that it would be today – now!
Preparing for the injection
Off to the inner waiting room I went. Eventually, a nurse called my name, and I moved to the day surgery. I had to put on a surgical gown and surgical booties over my shoes. There was also a surgical cap to wear.
I sat in a big chair that was adjusted to have me reclining back but not lying down. The nurse checked what procedure I was having today. I told her it was an injection in my right eye. She then used a marker pen to draw a little cross on my forehead above that eye. A surgical trolley was moved round beside me. It had a few layers of equipment on it, but I decided it was best not to look at that.
Questions and answers from the nurse
The nurse wasn’t busy, so I decided to ask her a few questions. I started with the issue of numbing procedures. I know some people receive a numbing injection or numbing gel as well as drops. She said that they only used numbing drops. She would be putting 4 drops in over a period of 15 minutes. Then she said she would use more if needed. I ventured a joke and asked, "How will you know if more are needed? Will that be if I scream?" She laughed and said she would use more if the doctor was delayed.
Then she gave me the first drop, and once again she was waiting around, so I tried a few more questions. I asked if the doctor would be using a speculum, and she said he wouldn’t use one. He would just hold my eye open with his hand and give me the needle, and it would be very quick. I thought that was good, because many people seem to feel that the speculum is quite uncomfortable.
Worrying about possible discomfort
By then I was due for another numbing drop. After that drop, the nurse was still not busy, so I snuck in another question. After all, I had to have all the information to bring back to our MacularDegeneration.net community!
I asked what type of antiseptic the doctor would use. She said he used Betadine. I quickly asked how many times the Betadine would be rinsed out after the shot. I knew from our community that Betadine can cause a great deal of discomfort.
The nurse told me the doctor doesn’t rinse out the eye afterwards. "Oh, no!" I thought, and alarm bells rang for me. Then she said that the doctor dilutes the Betadine, and it isn’t full strength.
Receiving the injection
I’d asked so many questions by now that the nurse thought I was panicking. She said not to worry, and that I’d be OK.
Then I had my third numbing drop. I asked if I would be getting a sheet of aftercare instructions. She said that I would, and she had a little chuckle as she gave it to me. I think she was hoping the questions were finished.
After the fourth numbing drop, the doctor came into the room. He was very quick. The nurse stood to my left side. She had the palm of her hand down at about my hip height. The doctor swabbed a little Betadine on my eyelids and on the spot of the injection only. He said to look at the nurse's hand, which was to the left and down. He said to keep looking there.
I felt a little push on my eye, and then he said he’d finished. He asked me to close my eyes, and then he left the room.
Feeling grateful
After a couple of minutes, the nurse asked me if I was feeling OK. When I told her that I was feeling fine, she said that I could leave when I was ready. I ventured my second little joke and asked if I could open my eyes now. She said I could, and we both had a laugh as I went out to confront my bill, which was no laughing matter.
The good news is that I had no pain or irritation at all during the shot or afterwards. For that I am very grateful.
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