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• Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-10-26 13:00:05 By Walter T
• Hi! I was diagnosed with dry MD approximately 30-35 years ago without any noticeable progression until about 2 years ago. My vision suddenlly became very, very distorted and blurred. I thought my eye glass precriptions needed adjusting, but upon a visit to my Optomologist, he immediately sent me to the RS I am currently seeing. Needless to say, it was wet MD (right eye only) and, the prognosis was injections of Macugen (at first). After the first injection, he suggested switching to Avastin, due to its increased success rate. After the third injection, several more blood vessels burst, causing a "rip' in the macular and a bubble of blood sat in the middle of my macula which was removed with an injection of an air bubble. Ultimately, this caused a permanent "blind" spot, but further Avastin injections stopped the leakage and the eye stabilized; the vision improved considerably. To my misfortune, after about the fifth injection, my left eye became "wet" also. It was agreed to start treatment with Avastin immediately; but, again after the third treatment, a staff infection formed inside my left eye. I was told this was a direct result of the injection and I had to receive an emergency treatment of 7 injections of multiple antibiotics, until the type of infection could be determined. During a period of approximately 4 weeks, I had to place an antibiotic (eye drops) and prednisone (eye drops) into the eye 4 times a day until the infection receded. It did not get any better and, the RS could not see through to the macula, due to the infection and medication, so it was determined that I had to have an operation to remove the infection manually. This was successful and, I eventually recouped. Due to all the trauma this eye had gone through, I have now developed a cataract, which I am scheduled to have removed next week and, I am told that I should regain most (is not all) of my vision. This was one "heck" of a ride!! If there is anyone out there with similar complications, I would really like to know how you "handled" this. Thanks for "Listening".

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-10-27 13:38:06 By Vince M
• You have certainly had a difficult time. I have been to various MD sites and blogs and this is the first time I have heard of anyone getting an infection from the invitro injrctions. How did they manually remove the infection? I have heard that cataract surgery is not recommended with MD but obviously you RS thinks it is OK. Did he discuss any possible impact on your MD?
  
  I have had 6 Avastin injections in the last year but none since April. It is just a matter of time and I will be back on them but with a new worry.
  
  Let us know how the cataract surgery goes and good luck.

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-10-30 15:51:22 By Walter T
• Thanks for the reply. I didn't mean to scare anyone out of the injection therapy for MD; I just wanted to know if anyone else had experienced womething similar to what I went through. I had the cataract surgery yesterday and just got back from the follow-up today. My vision is still blurry and hazy, but they said that is normal due to the swelling; it's only been a day since the surgery, but I guess I'm getting alitte anxious about seeing better :) My MD was was stabilized in both eyes after the infection was cleared. The caataract was a direct result of all the trauma in that eye. A procedure known as a "vitrectomy?" ( think that's what it's called) was performed to clean out the infection. Several incisions are made in the bottom of the eye; a camera, suction tube, and a small grinding device are placed in each incision and, they proceed to remove the infection. Evidently it worked, but I wouldn't want to go through it again!! I hope your treatments go well and you have no more serious problems with your eyes. Good Luck - Mrkodee

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-11-01 15:54:17 By Mary S
• Walter,
  You ae one of the statistics that has unfortunately had teh exoerience of the adverse side of treatment and injections.
  
  These things that you mention can and do happen, but with good aseptic technique prior to the proceedure, most RS docs have been able to cut down on the percentages of these infections and adverse reactions.
  
  Thsi is why most of them use betadine as a pre scrub of the eye prior to the injection process, or to other surgical/invasive type procedural process's.
  
  There is and should also be the use of throw away instruments or those that are autoclaved in between patient use.
  
  WE all know that most Hospital and medical facilities can harbor a variety of germs/bacteria.
  good technique, and good and faithful hadwashing on a consistent basis by those in the health care field is vital to decreasing the amounts of infections that patients can acquire.
  
  Again I am so sorry that you were one of the stats that had these adverse events, and I do wish you the best of luck in the future with your vision.
  mar

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-11-04 11:35:49 By Walter T
• They told me it would be another week before they could dilate my pupil, to completely look=-over the eyes and make sure everything was OK with both the cataract and, MD. I would then be able to schedule a visit to my Opthomologist and get "fitted" for some new glasses. Apparently, the cataract surgery didn't correct my vision to the extent I thought it would (sigh). Most people going through this surgery reported extensive improvement in their vision; I guess the MD won't allow me that. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait another week :(

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-11-15 08:57:58 By Walter T
• Well, the cataract surgery I had couple of weeks ago, brought-on by the trauma my left eye went through due to the infection, brought-on by the Avatin injections, was deemed a success (so far). However, I didn't notice any improvement in my vision; as a matter of fact, my double vision and bluriness seemed to have gotten worse. It just so happens, that during my follow-up visit for my cataract surgery, they informed me that my right eye has become active again; retinal swelling and active bleeding has occured and, I will need to start on the injections again. I have received 8 treatments on that eye previously and, apparently I will need at least several more to get the condition under control again.

• Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-12-03 18:24:52 By Elizabeth K
• I am so sorry you have had to go through this.

• Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2007-12-04 17:21:59 By Walter T
• Thank you so much for your concern. I just hope others don't have to go through this.

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-03 20:32:09 By Barbara L
• HI: Sorry to hear about your problems; i still have an air bubble that is breaking up smaller it has been almost 3 months; can it take that long for an air bubble to clear up? I had bleeding around my retina and got 3 avastin injections; i need help the eye doctor said that my air bubble is not permanent and will go away; it is so annoying; thanks for your help on air bubbles; do they just break up continually and then fade away? This has been a rough road but I am seeing it clearing up all the time now; thanks for any help Barbara

• Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-10 15:16:35 By Walter T
• Hi Barbara; Belive me, it seems like forever for that stupid bubble to get absorbed; but, eventually it will :) I'm happy to hear it's clearing up for you. My eyes have finally stabilized and, I was told on Wednesday (06Feb2008) that I am able to schedule an appointment to get fitted for glasses. It will be almost 2 full years since my journey began; my only hope is that I'll be able to see more normally than I do now. Keep the Faith!
  

• Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-15 00:00:07 By Barbara L
• HI Walter! Thanks for your encouragement; I still have the air bubble; it crushes then moves around; it is so annoying; please email me at psalms5556@yahoo.com this has been an awful experience. How does it end? Thanks for helping out; it is very frustrating and i have been crying; still have it 3 months and 1 week; how long did yours take to go away? Please email me thanks Walter!

• Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-20 13:35:14 By Barbara L
• Hi again Walter; it will be 3 months and almost 2 weeks is that normal for an air bubble to take that long; it is stubborn; my husband says that it is smaller than it ever has been; it does crush up then break up into smaller bubbles; is it normal for it to get bigger again and then smaller? Thanks for any advice; Barb

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-22 21:07:27 By Walter T
• Hi Barbara;
  One thing you must understand. I am not a doctor but a patient; like you. Our conditions, retinal surgeons and situations are probably not similar. The bubble they placed in my eye, was to eradicate a blood blister that had formed during hemhoraging in one of my eyes. I don't recall the exact amount of time it lasted, but I'm sure it wasn't that long. Have you tried second, or even third opinions? I certainly would have. I'm sure you'll find the answer. I'm not a preacher by any stretch, but I certainly found relief and promise in prayer. You'd be surprised at the results. If not in Divine Intervention, then in finding someone who will give you the help you are seeking. Don't be afraid; pray HARD and leave it in HIS hands. Good Luck!

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-02-24 18:45:24 By Barbara L
• Thank you Walter: It did break up again and crushed into smaller bubbles today; it has been swimming and breaking up more and more; I think that means it is going; I did tell the nurse what was happening and she said when it breaks up it is going away. Thanks for your support; just got your message. I had hemorrhaging around the retina and they sealed it; it just took almost 4 months to see this bubble break down more and more; they put in 1 mL of avastin in and this was the 3rd injection; the other 2 the bubbles went away a few hours. I will be happy when it is all broken up and cleared; it breaks up then clears up; what pretty bubbles!

• Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-07 08:06:36 By Walter T
• Hi Barbara;
  When I first saw the bubble I didn't know what it was; then, when it started to break-up, I thought it was actually pretty cool! I started to fixate on them sometimes and watch them swim around when I moved my eye! I think that was the only thing that actually took my mind off of what was happening inside my eyes. Then, after getting sooo many treatments, I didn't get bubbles anymore; just a lot of iritation when the anesthetic wore-off. They say that both eyes are now stabilized and, I didn't have to be treated the last time I went for a check-up (about 6 weeks ago). I have a "follow-up" on Monday; we'll see how things are then. I'm still getting totally different images in both eyes and, I'm having a very hard time discerning what I am seeing, so I learned to close one eye and look through only one eye to bring everything into some type of normality. I'm going to ask if there's something they can do about this; driving and reading are a REAl chore. Anyway, it's good to hear your getting better. Stay Well and God Bless!

• Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-11 21:58:42 By Barbara L
• HI Walter! It is 4 months now and it is swimming faster; they are pretty to look at i am getting used to them; i just have to get beyond the swimming getting me dizzy and sick. It might have been something I ate today too. Thanks for your support; this has been a nightmare for me. I hope you are doing well. WHen it swims faster does it mean it is getting smaller? The water is clearing up too; it just swims certain times of the day i think; but now it is really taking off. I do fixate on it too. My glasses makes it bigger than it really is; i have the progressive lenses. I am going to celebrate when my bubbles are gone! :) I will let you know when they are; glad that this is not permanent; my rs reassured me that they are not permanent. :)

• Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-19 23:15:33 By Barbara L
• HI Walter; how are you? Well it is getting smaller! It swims around fast; like a balloon; it breaks up into more bubbles all the time; how do you overcome the swimming around; you feel like your eye is exploding? I think it is almost gone; what is the sign when they are gone? Thanks Walter for your help! Barbara

• Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-20 19:53:29 By Walter T
• Hi Barbara! I'm happy for you; you're almost there. You know, of course, when they're gone, you're going to miss them :>) How's the vision otherwise? I hope you don't have any blind spots or distorted vision; that is more annoying than the bubbles. I know you'll do well.
  
  Good Luck and God Bless;

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-20 20:02:40 By Barbara L
• thanks Walter! Just got your message; it actually is clearing up while doing its daily routine! I will miss them LOL. I do look at it to see all the parts going away! Wow what a beautiful sight; it is just the swimming is hard but am accepting it; my rs said should be gone by this summer since i told them the details! I am going to celebrate go to the ocean! LOL. It feels like your eye is exploding too. Thanks for your support email me any time; it is nice making new friends! :)

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-23 18:22:11 By Barbara L
• Hi Karl; it is barb; my last of the bubble finally completely crushed on easter; what happens next? is it gone if it is completely crushed and will I see lots of bubbles for days? Thanks; need help; thanks Karl. Barb.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Wet MD/Infections
• Posted: 2008-03-21 12:48:25 By Barbara L
• Hi Karl: My vision is okay; I am just annoyed by the bubbles; it is 4 and 1/2 months; how long do you think it will take? They are clearing and smaller? I talked to the rs and they said this summer; they know how much they put in; so I am assuming they are probably accurate; would you think they are accurate if they said this summer? Thanks for any help. Nice to hear back from you again Karl; found a new friend! Barb.