Success With Jetrea? Side Effects Subside?

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I am scheduled for Jetrea 4/30. I am wondering if your side effects have subsided and would you do it again.

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1

Hoping to hear from people who used Jetrea to close Macular Hole. I am wondering about lasting side effects. Do you think it was worth it? Did you need to go on to have to have surgery? Any thoughts, opinions and insights on Jetrea are appreciated.

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2

I have had a successful experience with Jetrea. I have just posted a brief description of my post injection recovery here and have kept a blog. I hope my comments will be of help to you.

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3

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I read your blog and it was extremely interesting and well done. I think it is interesting that you felt so confident to try Jetrea when you were maybe the first in the country to do so while I am so hesitant. I tried to access the information you shared on the small chance of blindness, but had trouble viewing it. Although I probably will go through with the injection I do worry if lasting side effects will plague me. The surgery, although the rehab is uncomfortable, seems to have a more promising outcome, but then there is the worry of complications from surgery! I am glad that your experience was so positive. Thanks again!

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4

Dear Hesitant,
I'm glad you found my blog useful. I didn't feel completely confident but the doctors always said that I was an ideal candidate. They had closely read all the clinical studies and felt that because I had all 4 of the characteristics that were associated with a positive outcome they felt I had a 70% likelihood of success. I wasn't nervous about being the first person they'd used this drug on because the injection procedure is something opthamologists do frequently. I was nervous but thought it was worth a try compared to the surgery. I still feel very fortunate and the doctors have said my vision would not have improved as much if I'd had the surgery.

Thank you for pointing out the problem with the link. It seems they have changed access to that journal article. I'll see if I can find the screen shots I took and I'll post them there.

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5

Hello Jenny P.
I do not know about the four characteristics and if I fit them or not at least not from the Dr. I believe one must be a hole of a certain size, and another that adhesion is present. Can you tell me the other two? I have a young Dr. who seems to be up on the latest, but I have found with Drs. in general lately (I have been going to a lot with elderly parents) that they seem to think the less we know is better...no real need to help you understand the whys and hows. We did ask if he believed this was the best choice and what he personally would do etc., but he did not run through the criteria that I remember. However, to be fair, it doesn't mean that he didn't see that I fit it or maybe he just didn't explain it succinctly. In any case, can you share the criteria with me? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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6

Hello again,
My apologies for the delay with this reply. We have been away on holidays. The best way for you to identify the 4 characteristics I mentioned would be to show your doctor this article: retinalphysician.com/articleviewer.aspx?articleID=108590. It is quite technical but it goes through 4 characterisitics that provide a better likelihood of success with JETREA. I hope that is of help. The article is also on my blog, but you need to click on the circle with straight lines to find a list of resources including this article.
Best wishes

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7

Thank you again for your help. I will read the article and then I can address any concerns with my doctor. I go in two days and I am apprehensive but so hopeful this will work to avoid surgery. It has meant a great deal to me to be in touch with someone who has had the procedure done with success. Hope you had a good holiday!

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8

Yes I would certainly do it again and I may have to if my right eye develops traction. The doctors are keeping a close eye on it at the moment. I think the IV was fantastic for me. The doctors have said that I wouldn't have regained as much sight if I'd had the operation. The only side effect is that there is a slight difference in the amount of light I see in my left eye compared to my right eye. I don't think it is a side effect as such, rather the fact that my left eye has permanent damage to the retina from the hole that was there. I return for another scan next week and I'm hopeful that the hole will have shrunken even more.

Best wishes

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9

Hello,
Well I was scheduled today for the injection and found instead that my macular hole had partially closed! I went from stage 3 to stage 1. I thought that I was seeing better, but I also thought that it might be wishful thinking So the Dr. said we should not do anything for the time being and recheck in a few months at his office while I watch at home. I was very relieved. He also indicated that they were running more trials pertaining to the dark/dim vision people have reported. I am glad that you had such a good outcome.

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10

That's amazing news. What great luck! I certainly hope it continues to close and that your vision keeps on improving.

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11

HI I am scheduled for injection tomorrow I am scared yet reading some side effects has helped me to prepare for this swirling of vision. I am scared that I will blink or flinch during injection..husband says to get valium if needed! Did anyone have trouble with the injection itself? I just worry for noting sometimes, but have been praying that it will all work out as it is suppose to. I just need reassurance from others thanks

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12

I wish you well. It seems many have had success and most would do it again. I would take the valium! Good idea. I was able to hold off as the macular hole should improvement on its own. Best of luc,

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13

I didn't need anything before the injection. They gave me drops to anesthetize the eye and then drapped my head so I couldn't see anything. The whole process was uncomfortable rather than terrifying or painful. It is now likely that I will have to do the whole thing again as my other eye has developed a small macular hole. I won't be worried about the injection this time. The swirling light show was quite interesting and subsided after a couple of days in my case. Good luck.

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14

Thank you it is a comfort to hear from others I will let you know how it goes..

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15

For what it is worth. My experience was upsetting with Jetrea and for those who want the macular hole repaired with a high degree of success and quickly, I recommend surgery. Hands down. The Ophthamologist said I could go back to work in three days after Jetrea. Yes, as a teacher or an accountant but not a job that requires spacial vision to work on small objects, small projects like watch making or surgery. Forget it. My vision got far worse after the injection and even after surgery there appears to be residual affects from the Jetrea injection. I hope that they are wrong but the Ophtha said I may have had more of a 'toxic' reaction to it. The eye remains hazy, blurry, lacks contrast, no night vision, a distraction to look through. I am very disappointed that I got the injection as I appear to be dealing with its fallout and side effects even after the surgery, even after three weeks.

For those worried about surgery, it was no problem, one hour, very little post-op pain, Motrin 400mg took care of the slightest pain during the next twenty-four hours. Face down for 4 days, drops in eyes, not a problem, wish I would have chosen this first rather than Jetrea. Maybe Jetrea is fine for someone who has time on their hands and a job that doesn't require vision acuity but if you are not part of this group, get the surgery and be done with it. I highly recommend the surgery.

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16

I had in july 2014 the intervention in Rotterdam eye hospital. The iintervention was very succesful. After 3 days of intensive flashes, i started seeing again. It was miy right eye, my left eye is "lazy" so I depend 99% on my right eye.
I am very grateful to the Doctor and Staff of the eye hospital in Rotterdam

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17

I ended up with surgery a few weeks after injection. Wish I would have just gone for surgery. My vision is 20/70 in that eye it has permanent damage for center damage that may improve over time who knows.

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18

I have now had two injections for Jetrea and both were successful. The first was to treat a small stage two macular hole in my left eye. The second six months later to treat increasing vitriomacular traction in my right eye. My sight has improved over time. I realize that I was fortunate.

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19

Hello Elizabeth. I realize this is an old post but I hope you still follow it and can respond. I share a similar situation with a left lazy eye and Jetrea treatment on my good eye. On the second day since my shot my brain is having difficulty which eye to take images from. One moment it's from the lazy eye, then jumps to my right where everything goes blank except for the constant light show, then to both eyes where I'll have double vision. Did you experience this? How are your eyes today?

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