Update:
I had my regular appointment with my Retinal Specialist today. For the last four and a half years I have
been receiving monthly injections in both eyes for macular degeneration. Just recently, we were able to spread the
injections out to every other month. I
also have diabetic retinopathy, as well as cataracts (one of the side effects
of the eye medication is cataracts). When this began, I had great difficulty
reading printed material, and I had very poor night vision, and very little
color vision. Over time my vision has vastly
improved; but it has been a long, slow, costly process. Each
eye appointment costs between $3,000-$5,500 (the medication used in the
injections is very expensive and the diagnostic equipment is pricey too), so I’ve
spent quite an impressive amount to maintain my vision over the last four
years. I’m fortunate that my swelling
isn’t near the optic nerve so my vision is currently pretty good; but my eyes
have been resistive to treatment and so I’ve had these injections each month
just to keep my vision stable. The cost
didn’t used to be so high but the cheaper medication wasn’t effective for me,
so we’ve had to switch to the most expensive.
I am very thankful for good health insurance that has covered the cost.
After my eye exam today, my doctor said that the swelling was down so I
could skip the eye injections this month; and my next appointment isn’t for
another two months! Wow! That is the first time that has happened
since we’ve began treatment! That’s a
good feeling! Nothing like NOT getting
stuck in the eyeball with a needle to make your day! Ha!
Honestly when I first started getting these injections it really freaked
me out and I had to work hard to stay calm.
Now, it’s become common place enough that it isn’t too bad. But getting to skip is still a great feeling!
My vision isn’t perfect; but I am very grateful how well I can see and
that I am able to read and safely drive.
And I’m VERY happy to skip a month or two of eye injections. Hopefully this indicates a new trend for me
that will only get better in time.
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