Overview
- A British Journal of Ophthalmology study of eight patients found that regular intraocular injections of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) restored eye shape and sight in seven cases after 12 months.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital reports treating about 35 patients to date with this approach, with results holding up and no serious side effects reported so far.
- HPMC, a clear gel routinely used during eye surgery, is being left in the eye to act as a transparent filler that maintains pressure and avoids the visual distortion associated with silicone oil.
- Patient Nicki Guy said the treatment restored vision in her left eye and has brought her close to driving again, highlighting functional gains for those with remaining visual potential.
- Clinicians are seeking funding for a larger trial and are working with UCL bioengineers on longer-lasting or slowly expanding gels to reduce injection frequency, noting the method does not reverse total blindness.