Mother who lost sight after giving birth has vision restored

A new mother in Cornwall regained most of her sight after receiving five plasma exchanges from NHS Blood and Transplant's therapeutic apheresis service, with clear vision in her right eye and about 75% in her left.

A mother in Cornwall who lost her sight after the birth of her first child has had most of her vision restored following plasma exchange treatment. Two weeks after giving birth she experienced sudden vision loss in one eye and then the other, and clinicians arranged urgent tests and treatment. The plasma exchanges were provided by NHS Blood and Transplant's therapeutic apheresis service at Royal Cornwall Hospital. She now has clear vision in her right eye and around 75% vision in her left. Key points: - The woman experienced progressive vision loss shortly after giving birth and was evaluated with MRI and blood tests. - She received five plasma exchange treatments at Royal Cornwall Hospital delivered by NHSBT's therapeutic apheresis service; she was the first person in Cornwall to use this local service. - Improvement began after the third exchange and by the fifth she reported substantial recovery, with continued partial blurring in part of the left eye. - The service is operating with four hospitals in the region, expanding local access to this treatment option. Summary: The reported plasma exchanges removed and replaced the patient's plasma, which helped stop antibodies that were damaging the protective layer around nerve fibres in her eyes, allowing substantial recovery of vision and enabling her to care for her infant and live independently. NHS Blood and Transplant's therapeutic apheresis service provided the treatment locally and is working with several hospitals in the region. Undetermined at this time.