Hypotony treatment restores sight for woman who called it 'phenomenal'

Nicki Guy, 47, had vision in her left eye restored after taking part in a Moorfields Eye Hospital study that used regular injections of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to raise eye pressure; she described the outcome as "phenomenal" and is close to being able to drive again.

Nicki Guy, 47, had vision restored in her left eye after taking part in a Moorfields Eye Hospital study using injections of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). She had suffered hypotony, or low eye pressure, after chronic anterior uveitis and had previously lost sight in her right eye to retinal detachment. The HPMC gel is commonly used in eye surgery to help maintain shape and protect surfaces, and in this project was given repeatedly as an alternative to silicone oil. Eight patients received injections every two weeks for a year as part of the study. Key details: - The treatment used hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a clear gel normally used in eye surgery, delivered by injection to raise eye pressure. - Mrs Guy was described as the first patient in the study to receive these injections and was under the care of consultant ophthalmologist Harry Petrushkin at Moorfields. - The study group included eight patients who received injections every two weeks for a year. - Before treatment Mrs Guy had very limited vision in the affected eye; after treatment she reported clearer vision, restored pressure, and improved ability to carry out activities such as skiing and photography. - Mrs Guy previously lost sight in her right eye after a retinal detachment; she said earlier HPMC injections in that eye had been successful before the detachment occurred. Summary: The injections restored useful vision for at least one participant, improving daily activities and offering an alternative to silicone oil that clinicians said can be toxic. Moorfields has reported rolling the approach out to other patients in the clinic; longer-term outcomes and wider adoption are undetermined at this time.