I can see clearly now, thanks to new implant

Carol Johnys, 52 and Margaret Sheard, 84 have both undergone a revolutionary treatment in a bid to save their sight from two different conditions.

Carol,from Bradford, suffered from severely- impaired vision in her right eye caused by macular eye disease so when she started experiencing vision blurring in her left eye, she thought that this eye could also be affected by the same condition.  

She also experienced headaches and eye strain after reading.

After seeing her optician, she was referred to Shafiq Rehman, consultant ophthalmologist at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust and Yorkshire Eye Hospital.

He confirmed her fears.

Carol said: “I was devastated obviously at the thought of further sight loss.”

Carol also worried that any further damage to her eyesight would mean she had to quit the job she had done for a decade. As a quality controller in a printing company, her ability to spot quality defects was paramount and she feared this would be compromised.

She was relieved to hear that since the problems with her first eye, a new steroidal implant called Ozurdex had been introduced, which would reduce swelling in her eye.

“Carol had already lost the majority of her sight in her right eye as a result of macular disease,” explained Dr Rehman.

“It was absolutely imperative that her left eye sight was given the best possible chances of being saved.

“I knew this new treatment could help and Carol was obviously keen to try it.

“The results are astounding and it is fantastic to know that Carol is already beginning to enjoy the benefits of improved sight.

“This treatment has been very effective for her and will give hope to many people who suffer macular swelling from any number of causes, the commonest being diabetic eye disease.”

Carol had the implant injected in February. “The effect has been remarkable,” she said.

For 84-year-old Margaret Sheard, from Cleckheaton, the implant has saved her sight after she was diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion which occurs when blood clots form in the veins which drain blood from the retina within the eye.

Oliver Backhouse, consultant ophthalmologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Yorkshire Eye Hospital investigated the new biodegradable steroid implant and suggested that Margaret’s condition could be treated with the revolutionary new drug, effectively saving her failing sight.

She had the treatment in September, one of the first people in the country to do so.

“I was pleased to be referred to Mr Backhouse as he had previously performed my cataract treatment and I felt comfortable with him.

“When he mentioned the new implant drug to me, there was no question in my mind that I should give it a try. I desperately needed to save my sight in order to continue with my independence and my interests.”

Margaret’s treatment was a success.

“Margaret’s condition was serious as is every case of retinal vein occlusion and it was crucial that she retained as much of her sight as possible so she could maintain her independence without vision impairment.,” explained Mr Backhouse. “The results are astounding and the macular fluid which had built up earlier as a result of the vein occlusion had disappeared.”

Following her treatment, Maragaret has been able to carry on with her duties as founder member of a poetry group which meets regularly.

The Ozurdex implant was approved by the European Medicines Agency last July and launched in the UK in August.

Anyone needing further information on any eye conditions can check out www.bettersight.co.uk

BREAKTHROUGH IN EYE TREATMENT

* The Ozurdex implant was approved by the European Medicines Agency last July and launched in the UK in August 2010.

* The implant, a half centimetre narrow strip, is inserted into the back of the eye with a needle, where it releases a continuous dose of a steroid called dexamethasone.

* It cleverly continues to deliver this powerful anti-inflammatory, for up to four months before finally disintegrating and disappearing.