Donated plasma restores woman's eyesight, lost after birth of first child

A woman from Cornwall, who lost the sight in both eyes after the birth of her first child, has had it restored thanks to blood and plasma donors across the country.

Jessica, holding her baby son Jessica Kent-Hazledine, a dentist, woke up 2 weeks after giving birth to her first child, a son, with little vision in her left eye. Days later, the vision in her right also disappeared.

She was immediately referred to NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS) and received 5 plasma exchange transfusions – a process where the plasma in a patient's bloodstream is removed and replaced with fresh donor plasma - to restore her sight.

The plasma exchanges removed the antibodies in Jessica's blood that were attacking and damaging the protective layer around the nerve fibres around her eyes. Jessica can now see clearly out of her right eye and has around 75% sight in her left.

Jessica's story

Jessica, 33, says:

"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.

"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 2 weeks and was faced with the prospect of not being able to see my son again, it was awful.

"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."

Jessica receiving plasma exchange treatment Jessica adds: "The plasma exchange process was so simple. I had 5 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.

"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."

Plasma makes up 55% of our blood and contains antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the immune system. It is separated out from all blood donations and donors in Birmingham, Reading and Twickenham can also donate just plasma.

Jessica's treatment was carried out under a new plasma exchange service in the South-West, run by NHS Blood and Transplant's Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS). TAS is working with 4 hospitals in the area, who can refer patients to the service and a TAS nurse will attend the hospital to treat. The service will help patients with rare conditions like Jessica, including Guillain barre syndrome, vasculitis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and myasthenia gravis.

Jessica says: "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."

Statements

Statement from Emma Warner

Emma Warner, Lead Nurse at NHS Blood and Transplant’s Therapeutic Apheresis Services in Plymouth, who treated Jessica, says:

"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."

Statement from Dr Oliver Leach

Dr Oliver Leach, Consultant Neurologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, who treated Jessica, 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."

Statement from Specialised Commissioning Team spokesperson

A spokesperson for the Specialised Commissioning Team within NHS England South West, said:

"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 you can help

Visit our website to book a blood or plasma donation appointment or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session. 

Find more information on NHSBT Therapeutic Apheresis Services treatments.