On March 1st I was driven to the eye hospital for another session about my Macular degeneration; dry in my ‘good’ left eye, wet in my corneally damaged right eye, but this time with a doctor to assess progress. After an eye test which showed the vision in my left was still good (given enough light) and once again confirmed I can see little through the damaged cornea of the right eye, I had drops in my eyes to dilate the pupils and then into the Retinal Photography room. The same pleasant Irish guy did the job. He did comment about a bit of fluid under the right retina. Then back to the Macular Unit to see the doctor. A different one this time. He was pleased with the vision in the left eye, but concerned about re-appearance of fluid under the right retina. I had been on Eylea injections in the right eye every two months, but he ordered me back on to monthly injections to try to control the fluid build up. He wanted one done as quickly as possible to start the monthly series, so an appointment was books for the next available slot. I told him I was taking a lot of lutein, 10mg three times a day. He said that was good. Perhaps that’s why the left eye (fingers crossed) seems to have stabilised.
So it was on 7 March I was once again driven to the eye hospital, by my son this time. The eye test was done again and this time I read one extra letter with the left eye. With the right, everything a blur as it has been for the past forty years since my accident. More drops and then into a small treatment room. The usual checks to make I was the right person. I did point out that my file would be the one with “Wimp” written across the top! I’ve always hated things near my eyes so this is a bit of a torment. Loads more drops, both anaesthetic and antiseptic. Face wiped with iodine swab, a cover put across my face leaving just the right eye exposed. What looks like a spatula used to lift my eyelids with a clip is put in to keep my eye wide open. Told to look hard left, slight sting as the needle penetrates the inner eyeball and then the fluid is there, floating around inside my eye and the needle is gone. Swiftly the clip and cover is removed and it’s over. I think the whole thing takes about ten minutes. Unpleasant but if it works it’s worth it.
Back again in early April for a repeat performance.
Who knows what the future holds? At the moment with a few minimal adaptations my life is normal. I prefer not to drive in the dark now, but if the road is well lit, and especially if it’s a road I know, it’s OK. I am more susceptible to glare now so night driving in the rain calls for extra caution.
I’ll do an update next month.