Mum who went blind after giving birth has sight back

A mother left blind after the birth of her child has had her sight restored following a plasma donation.

Jessica Kent-Hazledine, from Cornwall, said she feared the worst when she started losing vision in both eyes following the birth of her first child last year.

After trying some other treatments, doctors arranged for her to receive a plasma exchange carried out by a new service run by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in the South West. The treatment helped restore 100% vision in her right eye and 75% in her left eye.

Kent-Hazledine said she "felt so lucky" to have received the donation and urged people to donate so others could receive the treatment.

During the exchange process, a patient's plasma, the liquid component of blood which helps transport cells, nutrients and hormones around the body, is removed from the blood and replaced with the donor's plasma.

This helped stops antibodies in blood attacking and damaging the protective layer around the nerve fibres in Kent-Hazledine's eyes.

Kent-Hazledine said she was "terrified" when she suddenly started losing her sight.

"I was a new mum, not getting much sleep," she said.

"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.

"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."

Kent-Hazledine said she would be eternally grateful to those people who donated blood and plasma.

"It's only thanks to them that plasma was available and I'm able to see again," she said.

"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.

Emma Warner, a lead nurse who treated Kent-Hazledine in Plymouth, said the "vital" treatment gave patients access to timely and specialist care close to home.

"For new mum Jessica, this meant everything," Warner added.

"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."

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