“It’s incredible to know that people are regaining vision”

Moorfields Eye Hospital clinicians have described the effects of a new treatment approach for hypotony in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Around 100 people each year are newly diagnosed with the condition in the UK, according to data from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Moorfields Eye Hospital clinicians highlighted that at present there is no established standard of care for restoring ocular anatomy and function in eyes with structural hypotony.

They described the effect of ocular injections with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) among eight patients with chronic structural hypotony.

The researchers concluded that HPMC – a low-cost gel primarily used in cataract surgery – can improve visual acuity, intraocular pressure and axial length in selected patients with chronic structural hypotony.

Among the eight patients described in the case series, seven patients experienced improvements in best corrected visual acuity with the vision of the final patient remaining stable.

Moorfields Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologist, Harry Petrushkin, highlighted that the research contributes to an enhanced understanding of the balance of the fluid inside the eye – leading to improved care for patients.

“We are excited that this simple treatment has proved so effective for patients with this rare condition,” he said.

The patient perspective

Study participant, Nicki Guy, developed hypotony after developing uveitis following the birth of her son in 2017.

A range of treatment approaches were attempted – including the use of steroid drops and injections of silicone oil.

After these options achieved limited success, Guy agreed to take part in the Moorfields Eye Hospital study exploring the effect of HPMC injections.

Guy recounted how her vision began to come back as the pressure in her eyes improved.

“The progress I’ve made feels extraordinary, especially knowing that patients before me have faced irreversible sight loss… It’s incredible to know that people are regaining vision,” she said.

The research was supported by funding from the Moorfields Eye Charity.