A woman in London is seeing the world more clearly thanks to a surprising treatment: a common eye gel. Nicki Guy, 47, faced progressive vision loss for years, as her eyes gradually lost their shape and stability, starting with one eye and then the other.
Simple Gel Restores Sight in Woman with Rare Condition
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A readily available gel, typically used during eye surgery, is offering new hope for patients with ocular hypotonia, a condition where insufficient eye pressure leads to vision loss.
- Ocular hypotonia occurs when pressure inside the eye drops too low, causing the eyeball to lose its firmness.
- Doctors successfully used hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) gel to restore internal pressure and stabilize the eye.
- The treatment, involving periodic injections, has shown sustained vision improvement in at least 35 patients.
- HPMC is a low-cost, widely available gel traditionally used to protect tissues during surgery.
The problem began in 2017 when Guy’s right eye stopped functioning normally, its structure changing and her vision declining. The same process soon affected her left eye, putting her at risk of blindness. Doctors diagnosed ocular hypotonia, a condition where intraocular pressure falls below levels needed to maintain the eye’s shape. Essentially, the eyeball loses its firmness, preventing light from focusing correctly on the retina and impacting both central and peripheral vision.
Instead of a complex surgical device, the medical team at Moorfields Eye Hospital opted for an unusual approach: injecting a clear, water-based gel to restore internal pressure and stabilize the eye’s anatomy. The treatment involved injecting small amounts of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, known as HPMC. While already used in routine ophthalmological surgeries, it was applied in this case for a novel purpose.
The gel was injected directly into the vitreous chamber, the inner space of the eye. Its function was both mechanical and optical – it increased internal pressure without blocking light from reaching the retina, restoring structural stability to the eyeball. Guy received applications every three to four weeks for several months, under close medical supervision. As treatment progressed, her vision showed consistent and measurable improvement.
Following the treatment, specialists confirmed the functional recovery of Guy’s eye. She told reporters that regaining visual stability dramatically improved her daily life.
Understanding Ocular Hypotonia
Ocular hypotonia develops when intraocular pressure drops below 6.5 millimeters of mercury. This pressure is crucial for maintaining the eye’s shape and ensuring proper light focus. When pressure decreases, the eye wall contracts, creating folds in the retina and choroid – internal layers essential for vision. This condition is medically termed hypotonic maculopathy.
Common causes include prior glaucoma surgeries, trauma, or internal inflammatory processes. Certain ophthalmic medications can also contribute to pressure reduction. If left untreated, visual damage progresses, and in advanced stages, the eye permanently shrinks, irreversibly limiting visual capacity.
A Simple Solution with Broad Potential
The simplicity of the London treatment was key. HPMC is inexpensive and readily available in hospitals, traditionally used to protect tissues during surgical procedures. In this case, it acted as a temporary support, allowing the eye to regain pressure and shape. Being transparent, it didn’t interfere with light transmission or basic visual function.
The medical team adjusted the frequency of applications based on each patient’s clinical response, performing each intervention under careful monitoring to avoid complications from excessive pressure increases. The positive results led to documentation in specialized publications. Data indicates at least 35 patients have received this treatment with favorable outcomes.
Expanding Access to Treatment
The case of Nicki Guy gained attention for its potential to impact healthcare systems worldwide. The possibility of treating a complex condition with an accessible resource sparked international medical interest. Research institutions are analyzing the use of gels and similar materials to offer viable alternatives for patients with rare diseases.
Beyond HPMC, ongoing research explores controlled drug release systems using microscopic technologies, aiming to regulate eye pressure over extended periods. For patients with ocular hypotonia, the London experience provides a valuable clinical reference, demonstrating that a simple treatment can alter the course of a disease often leading to vision loss.
What causes ocular hypotonia? The condition arises when intraocular pressure drops below 6.5 millimeters of mercury, compromising the eye’s structural integrity and visual function.
