Experts use filler treatment to restore sight in people with rare eye condition

Researchers at Moorfields used injections of a surgical gel (HPMC) to restore eye shape and improve vision in seven of eight patients with hypotony after 12 months.

Doctors at Moorfields Eye Hospital have used injections of a clear surgical gel to restore pressure and improve vision in people with hypotony, a rare condition that causes abnormally low eye pressure and alters the eye's shape. The gel, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), is commonly used during eye surgery but is normally washed out at the end of procedures. In a small study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, eight patients received HPMC injections every couple of weeks and seven showed improved vision after 12 months. Moorfields has treated 35 patients with this approach to date and is seeking funding for a larger clinical trial to test different gels. Key findings: - HPMC injections restored eye shape and improved vision in seven of eight patients after 12 months. - HPMC is a clear, commonly used surgical gel that was injected into affected eyes every couple of weeks in the study. - Vision was measured with sight charts and there have been no serious side effects reported to date. - The current standard treatment, silicone oil, can reduce visual quality and carry longer-term toxicity concerns, according to specialists. - Moorfields is applying for funding for a larger clinical trial to evaluate different gels and to find options requiring fewer injections. Summary: The reported treatment used a low-cost surgical gel to refill eyes and improve vision in most trial participants, offering an alternative to silicone oil. Moorfields plans a larger clinical trial to test different gels with the aim of reducing injection frequency. It is not described as a cure for blindness and is intended for eyes that retain visual potential.