Jessica Kent-Hazledine experienced vision loss following the birth of her first child, a condition that left her fearing she would not see her son grow up. According to Daily Mirror - Main, she described the ordeal as terrifying, thinking she would miss milestones like his first steps. Her vision was restored after she received a plasma exchange treatment, which multiple reports indicate led to significant improvement.
Specifically, her vision recovered to 100% in her right eye and approximately 75% in her left eye after the procedure. The exact medical condition that caused her vision loss remains unknown, as does why other treatments attempted beforehand failed. The plasma exchange involved Jessica Kent-Hazledine undergoing five sessions at Royal Cornwall Hospital, according to major media sources.
I was a new mum, not getting much sleep. But I thought I should probably get it checked out and the next thing I knew I was having an urgent MRI and blood tests. It was all very scary, I was thinking the worst.
The treatment worked by preventing antibodies in her blood from attacking the protective coating around nerve fibres in her eyes, a mechanism detailed in reports. According to Daily Mirror - Main, she described feeling back to herself by the fifth exchange, calling it magical. The long-term prognosis and potential risks of this treatment for similar cases are not yet clear, and eligibility criteria under the NHSBT service have not been specified.
This treatment was facilitated by a new therapeutic apheresis service operated by NHS Blood and Transplant in the South West, multiple reports confirm. The service, known as therapeutic apheresis services (TAS), is collaborating with four hospitals across the region, according to major media. How many people have been treated by this service since its launch is currently unknown.
When my vision went in my right eye, too, I was terrified – I thought I wouldn't be able to see my baby grow up. I wouldn't be able to see how his face changed or when he took his first steps or had his first day at school. I had been a mum for two weeks and was faced with the prospect of not being able to see my son again, it was awful.
According to BBC News - England, Jessica Kent-Hazledine emphasized the broader impact of donation, noting it helps many beyond emergencies. Jessica Kent-Hazledine became the first person in Cornwall to access the NHSBT therapeutic apheresis service, major media reports indicate. The hospital collaboration involved Royal Cornwall Hospital and other facilities in the South West.
According to BBC News - England, Emma Warner, a lead nurse who treated her in Plymouth, described the treatment as providing timely and specialist care close to home. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Jessica Kent-Hazledine expressed gratitude for blood and plasma donors, crediting them with her ability to see again and highlighting the service's benefits for others.
By the fifth [exchange], I felt pretty much back to myself, it felt like magic.
It's been almost a year now and my sight is so much better – I still have some blurring in half of my left eye but I can look after my son and live an independent life, which I was worried I wouldn't be able to.
I feel so lucky that it was arriving in the area just as I needed it – it was amazing and I'm glad that other people will get to benefit, too.
I'm eternally grateful to those people who donated blood and plasma – it's only thanks to them that that plasma was available and I'm able to see again.
I don't think people realise just how much good donation can do - we all know blood can be used in emergencies but it can also be used to help so many people like me.
The vital treatment gave patients access to timely and specialist care close to home.