Woman’s Sight Restored After Post-Birth Vision Loss in Cornwall

Mum Left Blind After Birth Sees Again Thanks to Donors

A woman from Cornwall who lost the sight in both eyes shortly after giving birth has had her vision largely restored thanks to donated blood plasma.

Jessica Kent-Hazledine, 33, a dentist, lost her sight just two weeks after welcoming her first child, a son, in April last year. After urgent treatment using donated plasma, she has now regained full vision in one eye and around 75% in the other.

Sudden loss of sight after becoming a mum

Jessica said she first noticed something was wrong when she woke up with reduced vision in her left eye.

She said: “When I woke up with only half of my vision in my left eye, I initially put it down to tiredness – 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.”

Days later, her condition worsened.

She added: “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.”

Treatment using donated plasma

Jessica was referred to NHS Blood and Transplant’s Therapeutic Apheresis Services, where she received five plasma exchange transfusions.

The treatment works by removing plasma from the bloodstream and replacing it with donor plasma, helping to remove harmful antibodies that were attacking the nerves around her eyes.

Jessica said: “Thankfully, within days and after trying some other treatments, my consultant had arranged a plasma exchange with the Therapeutic Apheresis Services team, who were just fantastic. I was so very, very grateful for that.”

She added: “The plasma exchange process was so simple. I had five exchanges and by the third, things had started to improve and I was tentatively optimistic. By the fifth, 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.”

First in Cornwall to receive new service

Jessica said she was told she was the first person in Cornwall to use the new Therapeutic Apheresis Services offering in the South West.

She said: “My consultant told me I was the first person in Cornwall to use this new TAS service 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.”

The service is run by NHS Blood and Transplant and works with four hospitals across the region. It allows patients to receive specialist treatment closer to home, with nurses attending hospitals to carry out the procedure.

Call for more donors

Jessica has thanked those who donate blood and plasma and is encouraging others to do the same.

She said: “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. I’d urge absolutely everybody who is eligible to go and give blood or plasma – and thank you to those who already do.”

Emma Warner, Lead Nurse at NHS Blood and Transplant’s Therapeutic Apheresis Services in Plymouth, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have launched our plasma exchange service in the South West. This vital service is giving patients access to timely, specialist care close to home.”

“For new mum Jessica, this meant everything. She was able to receive the treatment she needed as an outpatient, staying by her baby’s side instead of enduring long, stressful journeys or the prospect of being admitted far from home.”

“It makes us so happy to be able to help patients like Jessica but we couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of blood and plasma donors and I’d like to encourage everybody who is able to register to donate.”

Dr Oliver Leach, Consultant Neurologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “There are a number of disabling acute neurological conditions where plasma exchange is the most effective treatment, but it hasn’t been available in Cornwall for a number of years. It is fantastic to be able to offer this treatment again as part of the NHSBT therapeutic apheresis service, and to see people benefit from it.”

A spokesperson for the Specialised Commissioning Team within NHS England South West added: “It is great to see the launch of the Therapeutic Apheresis Service here in the South West.”

“Plasma exchange is not typically commissioned as a standalone service by NHS England, as it often sits within broader treatment pathways. However, we knew there was a gap in provision of this service in the peninsula, and following a procurement process, we commissioned NHS Blood and Transplant to fulfil this need. This has allowed us to provide an important service to patients, helping to improve experiences across the South West.”

How to donate

Plasma makes up around 55% of blood and contains antibodies that help support the immune system.

People can book an appointment to donate by visiting blood.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23.

More information about Therapeutic Apheresis Services is available on the NHS Blood and Transplant website.