Overview
- A British Journal of Ophthalmology paper reports that fortnightly HPMC injections restored eye shape and improved sight in seven of eight hypotony patients after 12 months.
- HPMC is a clear, low-cost gel routinely used during eye surgery and, when left inside selected eyes, acts like a filler that preserves visual clarity better than silicone oil.
- Clinicians say no serious side effects have been seen to date, though patients required regular monitoring and some were able to stop injections once eye size stabilized.
- Moorfields says about 35 patients have now received the treatment with results described as holding up, and the team is applying for funding for a larger clinical trial.
- Researchers emphasize the approach benefits people with remaining visual potential, with one patient reporting major functional gains including nearing the legal standard to drive.