My First Injection for Wet AMD: Not Quite What I Expected
This community has taught me everything I know about receiving an injection for wet macular degeneration.
I had taken my father for many years to have his injections, but I’d never been in the room with him. He didn’t say much after his shots, so I didn’t really learn anything.
At my regular checkup for dry macular degeneration, I was told that I needed an injection because I had developed the wet form. I was to have the shot that day, right away.
There were surprises in store
I was so grateful to this community, because I didn’t have to ask the retina specialist (RS) anything about the injections. I already knew what to expect, or I thought I did! But there were surprises in store!
I expected to be treated in one of the usual exam rooms, but I didn’t expect to go into a mini operating theatre. Evidently, the RS does injections in the same room as he does cataract surgeries, and perhaps other surgeries as well (not at the same time, obviously). I had to wear surgical garb on my head and feet, and a surgical gown as well.
High blood pressure from caffeine
The next surprise was the taking of blood pressure. That’s when I wished I hadn’t had 2 (or possibly 3, if I’m honest) cups of coffee since I woke up. It was still early morning, and that caffeine was surging through me. My blood pressure was quite high, as I expected, given the caffeine and my nerves.
I tried to calm down (not easy) and asked the nurse to take it again. Luckily, it decreased, and I was deemed fit for the procedure. I wondered how high the blood pressure had to be for the proceedings to be halted.
I also had a blood oxygen monitor connected to my finger. That stayed there for the duration of the procedure. I took a couple of deep breaths because I wanted to pass that test, too!
One battle I wouldn't have to fight
After lots of numbing drops, I found out that I wouldn’t be having a numbing injection. I know many people in our community have a numbing shot, but I was happy not to. The nurse said they usually give more drops, if possible, rather than go to the numbing shot.
My next surprise was when the nurse told me the RS would not be rinsing my eyes after the injection. Many in our community seem to call for extra rinsing. They say to speak up if we don’t get it.
I was geared up to make this request (demand?) and was silently formulating what I would say when the nurse told me that they don’t flush out the eyes. I was horrified after what I’d learned in our community. I asked the nurse how this could be. She explained that the Betadine used as an antiseptic was a weaker solution than full strength. I think she said sterile water was added. I let out a bit of a sigh and relaxed, as I realized that was one battle I wouldn’t have to fight.
Injection aftercare instructions
The injection followed, with no pain and no irritation afterwards.
I had expected to possibly have some antibiotic drops or gel placed in my eyes, or to have the eye patched. None of those things happened. Absolutely nothing went into my eye after the injection. There were no antibiotic drops, no antibiotic gel, no speculum holding my eye open, and no eye patch was put on. These had all been mentioned by community members.
No driving for 24 hours
The aftercare instructions were a bit unexpected. I was to have someone with me, even to catch public transport home. That was a bit surprising, but luckily I did have someone waiting for me.
There was to be no driving for 24 hours. Personally, I think that’s a bit over the top. I hadn’t had any form of sedation. It was a worry because I had my volunteer job to go to in the morning, less than 24 hours away. I did drive to my job, but I was very careful. I didn’t have any alternative other than to cancel my shift.
Prior knowledge gave me confidence
For my first injection, some things had been expected and others were surprises. I was glad to be aware beforehand of the full range of what might happen. This knowledge gave me confidence, and I felt in control of the situation (although I'm pretty sure my doctor felt he was the one in control!)
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