London doctors restore sight using low-cost treatment
New study offers hope to patients with hypotony, showing potential for improved vision
A pioneering treatment has restored vision for people with hypotony, an untreatable condition causing abnormally low eye pressure and blindness, researchers have revealed.
Specialists at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London developed the new treatment using HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a clear gel commonly employed during eye surgeries to maintain the eye's shape.
The process involved injecting the gel into the eyes of hypotony patients to restore pressure and improve vision. Experts have described the treatment as "not dissimilar to cosmetic fillers."
Offering hope to patients with hypotony
Hypotony affects approximately 100 people in the UK yearly and is caused by trauma, inflammation, complications after surgery, or various diseases.
Standard treatments have relied on filling the affected eye with silicone oil, but consultant ophthalmologist Harry Petrushkin from Moorfields explained why this is problematic:
"The fluid that fills our eyes is pretty similar to water in terms of seeing through it, whereas if you hold up a bottle of oil, it bends light more, and so if you're trying to look through oil, your vision is going to be worse and very magnified.
"The advantage of using a gel rather than silicone oil is that you can actually see through it much better. And silicone oil, magical as it is, causes a lot of toxicity to the eye. It has, up till now, been the gold standard but it's not great."
The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, included eight hypotony sufferers. Treatment involved HPMC injections every two weeks to restore eye shape and sight. Vision improvements were measured using sight charts, and seven patients regained sight after 12 months.
One patient, Nicki Guy, shared her experience:
"I've been able to take my son skiing. I love taking photographs, so I can do that again.
"There are still challenges with my vision as it is, but from where I was, it's just phenomenal."
Future possibilities and clinical trials
Thus far, Moorfields Eye Hospital has treated 35 patients with hypotony using HPMC injections, and outcomes remain promising. However, Mr Petrushkin is now applying for funding to conduct a larger clinical trial.
The potential aim is to develop gels that require fewer injections while delivering lasting results. He is working with researchers at University College London and bioengineers worldwide to explore gels that could expand slowly and reduce the need for frequent treatments.
While hopeful, he was keen to clarify the scope of this advance:
"This is not a cure for blindness," Mr Petrushkin said.
"This is a treatment which is amazing for people who have visual potential, as in you are capable of good vision, but your eye is currently not letting you achieve that.
"My hope would be that as the project develops, and as our knowledge in this area expands...we understand where we can intervene to stop people from losing vision altogether."