10/10/2024
Today is , a global event drawing attention to blindness and vision impairment.
At , we are always trying to find new ways to help with people’s sight.
The Ophthalmology department have performed ground-breaking eye operations for corneal transplants this year, using an artificial cornea rather than a donated human one. There is a worldwide shortage of donated human corneas and up to a two-year waiting list for transplants in the UK.
“This is a very exciting step forwards in improving the vision of some of our patients with corneal disease who might otherwise face a long wait for a human cornea,” said consultant ophthalmologist Tom Poole, who, along with consultant colleague Miss Hanbin Lee, has successfully performed the procedure on several patients.
In terms of research, a team from the Trust has been leading the way in a pioneering study hoping to find a breakthrough for treating thyroid eye disease (TED).
Symptoms of the debilitating disease include bulging eyes, redness, swelling and pain, and double or blurry vision.
“TED can affect your life in many adverse ways, from things as simple as watching TV or reading, to affecting your ability to work and to drive,” said Anuradha Jayaprakasam, consultant ophthalmologist. “In the most severe cases, it can lead to visual loss, if left untreated.”
Dr Jayaprakasam is the principal investigator for the LIDS trial being run at the Trust, studying the ability of oral drug linsitinib to tackle the disease. Since the trial began last year, has been one of the top two recruiting sites worldwide.
Her experience in this field means she will be attending an international conference in Poland examining another possible treatment for TED, using a weekly injection of serum designed to reduce antibodies thought to trigger the disease.
This will be the subject of a new research study at in the coming months.