AN Irish patient, who was blind for 13 years, has had his sight restored after undergoing revolutionary new gene therapy.
Medics at the Mater Hospital in Dublin administered the groundbreaking ocular treatment on Stuart Haxell, 31, from Co Sligo.
Stuart Haxell had his sight restored after 13 years[/caption]
The gene therapy, which received approval for reimbursement in Ireland last year, has the potential to restore retinal function and vision in patients suffering from inherited retinal dystrophies.
Mr Haxell is functionally blind and has only been able to see a certain amount of light for more than a decade.
He received the first Luxturna treatment in Ireland in November at the Mater Hospital, under the care of Professor David Keegan, consultant ophthalmic surgeon.
Just weeks after the procedure, Stuart is now able to read letters and words again, a recovery described by medical professionals as remarkable.
Describing recovering his sight, he said: “For the first time in over a decade, I can see the world around me.
“Being able to read again is something I never thought possible and my quality of life has been improved.
“I really appreciate Prof Keegan, his team, the Mater Hospital staff and the HSE for giving me this groundbreaking treatment and bringing sight back to me.”
Explaining the procedure, Prof Keegan said: “It’s akin to plugging a television back in.
“The procedure is most effective when administered in childhood before significant retinal degeneration occurs, but as Stuart’s case demonstrates, benefits are not only possible, but significant in adults.”
Inherited retinal dystrophies are very rare with one patient eligible for treatment identified every two to five years.
The team in the Mater is expecting to treat a second patient later this year.
Finbarr Roche, CEO at the charity Fighting Blindness, added: “This monumental advance gives hope to all those people in Ireland living with a visual impairment – the first treatment to reverse sight loss.
“We believe that a lot of sight loss is reversible; and this treatment is a direct result of vision research – and we firstly thank the Irish public who have contributed to vision research in Ireland and abroad.
“Stuart Haxell was identified as a suitable recipient through the database of clinical diagnoses and genetic codes that has been spearheaded by fundraising in Ireland, our Target 5000 project, for all those living with inherited retinal conditions.
“This sends a clear signal to our community and the wider public that investing in scientific research can make possible what used to be accepted as impossible.”
Stuart had also become a major figure in Irish sport, despite his blindness.
He began his tennis journey at 23 and quickly ascended to the top of the national rankings in the B1 category, which is designated for players with complete blindness.
Using a ball equipped with a bell, known as a sound tennis ball, Stuart had previously relied on auditory cues to navigate the game.
His dedication to the sport has led him to represent Ireland on the international stage, including the International Blind Tennis World Championships.
