Doctors at Moorfields Hospital in London have reported success in restoring sight and preventing blindness in patients with hypotony, a rare but severe eye condition. A pilot study demonstrated that seven out of eight patients responded positively to a pioneering new treatment.
Hypotony is characterized by dangerously low pressure within the eyeball, which can lead to the eye's structural collapse. This condition can stem from inadequate production of the eye's natural fluid, trauma, inflammation, or as a complication of eye surgery or certain medications. Without intervention, it can result in blindness.
Previous treatments, such as steroids and silicone oil, presented challenges including potential long-term toxicity and limited vision restoration, partly due to the opaqueness of silicone oil. The Moorfields team developed an alternative approach utilizing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPCM), an inexpensive, transparent, water-based gel already employed in some ophthalmic surgeries. This novel therapy involves injecting HPCM directly into the main cavity of the eye.
Nicki Guy, the initial patient to receive this treatment, experienced substantial vision improvement. Previously partially sighted and dependent on a magnifying glass, she is now able to read most lines on an eye test chart.
Mr. Harry Petrushkin, Ms. Guy's ophthalmologist, noted the apprehension involved in developing the treatment given the patient's condition but affirmed that the outcome was remarkably successful and surpassed expectations. The team has treated 35 patients thus far, supported by funding from the Moorfields Eye Charity.
The findings from the first eight patients have been published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. The treatment regimen involves administrations every three to four weeks over approximately 10 months. Researchers expect to further refine criteria for identifying optimal candidates for the therapy.