My Eye Injection During COVID-19

As promised in my previous article about getting an injection in this stressful time, or perhaps more importantly, about getting to that injection. Here’s the update.

Making masks during these uncertain times

Canada's government’s health spokespeople changed their advice on masks the day after I submitted my previous article on COVID 19. So down to the locker for more remnants of quilting fabric to keep sewing until I run out of materials or elastic. Although ribbons work quite well, too. I discovered floral wire sewn along the nose seam on the mask works very well at conforming it to your face to help secure a safer fit. As it’s made for bouquets, so it won’t rust when you wash it.

With my face masks at the ready, and many pairs of plastic gloves in a plastic bag in my purse, I was ready to take on the social distancing needed to protect everyone.

How I got to my appointment

A couple of days before my injection, our transit company brought in new regulations, thank goodness! The buses would not stop and pick up more passengers if it couldn’t allow for social distancing. I almost took the bus, but changed my mind at the last minute and drove myself, wearing my walking shoes. This way I could spend time walking around the parks of downtown while waiting for my vision to return to normal.

Inside the retina specialist's office

I put on plastic gloves as soon as I got out of the car. Upon arrival at my retina specialist’s office, I was met by an open door with a stop sign. No need to touch the door handle. They had everyone’s drivers and friends sitting in chairs spaced out along the wide hallway. Hand sanitizer right inside the door, and the chairs in the waiting room 6 feet apart. All the staff was masked and gloved, with the gloves being changed constantly. The doctor looked ready to perform an operation; surgical mask, full face shield, cap, and scrubs. But as he’s a senior - or at least very close, he needs to protect himself as much as his patients.

The eye injection

To get people in and out as quickly as possible, with as little contact as possible, they only did the pressure test and OCT pictures, not the fundus photos as they normally do. So no need for dilation! Yippee! This meant I could drive home almost right away. All my worry about social distancing on the bus and in the medical office building was unnecessary after all. I did the best I could, as did the doctor and his staff, so now just go home and stay home, again. Why had I been so worried? Things usually work out as they should.

No leakage this time!

This time there was no leakage showing, so now I get to come back in eleven weeks for the next injection. They didn’t even want patients stopping long enough at the desk to make the next appointment. That will be later by phone. If all is still good then, I’ll be on the twelve-week program, where I’ll come in every twelve weeks for scans, but no injections unless there’s a new leak. Bonus!

I hope this relieves some fears surrounding injections in this stressful time, and a big thank you to all the doctors and other medical professionals who keep working to save our lives and our sight!