She also has Macular Degeneration, and they would like to drain the blood, but she has little patience to sit still. Sedation is unlikely because of her age. I would like to think that she can live a comfortable life with diminishing sight but would like to know what others think. There is no pain and I give the drops as often as she cooperates.
At some point there is a choice to make "Burden VS Benefit"
If it would stress her out having a procedure done, don't do it
Any sedation can cause long term problems when it comes to a faster decline. You make the choice that you feel she would make her self or make the one that you think is in her best interest.
Sedation would likely be as minimal as possible, due to her age and lack of cooperation. I have MANY friends who've had eye surgery and no one said it was 'horrible'.
At 91, you really have to pick your battles. If she's fighting you on simple eyedrops, there's nothing much else you can do.
Find out what sort of macula degeneration. The macula is an organ at the back of the eyeball connecting to the brain. Degeneration causes a blank spot in the middle of vision. Aged related degeneration is not treatable yet. A ‘wet macula’ is now treatable, and my husband has one. It’s caused by leaking blood at the back of the eyeball, and it sounds as though this has been diagnosed.
Wet macula treatment is not simple. DH has had an injection through the eyeball every 3 months for 2 years now. The anesthetic drops put in before the injection sting badly, the injection itself is sometimes painful depending on whether the anesthetic worked well, then quite uncomfortable when it wears off. It takes him a couple of days to come better. The treatment is actually working well, and he is only 70. He is delighted with the result and tolerates repeated treatments well, but your aunt may not. It would be a good idea to find out about this before deciding about surgery. Your aunt may want to make the choice herself. Sympathy to you all, it's difficult.
Eye drops are a lifetime thing. If surgery is not going to stop the eye drops not sure if I would put her thru it. If she does not use the eye drops for the glaucoma she will go blind. My GF suffered from headaches.
Give her a “treat” as you would a small child after eye drops. Create a positive association. Hershey’s kiss, a small cookie, a dum dum lollipop. What brings a smile to her face?
The treat does not have to be food related, but keep it the same every time so thinking of the experience triggers a positive reaction in her.
Examples, gentle hand or foot massage, a TV program or soothing music.
instead of saying “here are your glaucoma-preventing eye drops” call it “gentle refreshing soother.”
She may have grown to like this control “game” of being a bit naughty and refusing. Let her play the same game with something else.
Prayers you find the right solution