A WOMAN who lost her sight after the birth of her first child can see again thanks to donated plasma.

Redruth dentist Jessica Kent-Hazledine lost the sight in both eyes in April last year. Having received treatment at the Royal Cornwall Hospital under a new plasma exchange service, she can now see clearly out of her right eye and has around 75 per cent vision in her left.

Jessica, 33, woke up two weeks after giving birth, with little vision in her left eye. “I initially put it down to tiredness – I was a new mum, not getting much sleep,” Jessica recalled. “But I thought I should get it checked out. 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, the vision in her right eye also disappeared. “I was terrified – I thought I wouldn’t be able to see my son grow up, how his face changed, when he took his first steps or had his first day at school,” said Jessica. “Thankfully, within days my consultant had arranged a plasma exchange.”

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 in exchange transfusions, the plasma in a patient’s bloodstream is removed and replaced with fresh donor plasma.

Jessica had a series of five plasma exchanges carried out by NHS Blood and Transplant's Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS). These removed the antibodies that were attacking the protective layer around the nerve fibres around her eyes.

“By the third exchange, things had started to improve and I was tentatively optimistic,” said Jessica. “By the fifth, I felt pretty much myself. My sight is so much better now – I still have some blurring in half of my left eye, but I can look after my son and live an independent life.”

Jessica urged anyone who is eligible to give blood or plasma. “I’m eternally grateful to donors – it’s only thanks to them that that I’m able to see again. We all know blood can be used in emergencies, but it can also be used to help so many people like me.”

TAS is working with four hospitals in the area, who can refer patients and have a TAS nurse attend to treat patients. “My consultant told me I was the first person in Cornwall to use this new TAS service,” said Jessica. “I feel so lucky it arrived in the area just as I needed it.”

Jessica was treated by Dr Oliver Leach, a consultant neurologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. “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,” he said. “It’s fantastic to be able to offer this treatment as part of TAS, and to see people benefit from it.”

To book a donation appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk