Recovery of eyesight : BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital Helps Kenyan Patient Regain Vision After 3 Weeks of Blindness

Hyderabad- BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital has helped a Kenyan patient, Nancy, recover from complete blindness after three weeks, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the medical team. The hospital has successfully performed a rare endoscopic surgery on Nancy, which helped her regain her vision in just two days.

Nancy, who had been experiencing severe headaches, eye pain, and high blood sugar levels, had sought medical help in both the USA and Kenya with no success. Finally, she landed at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital in Bengaluru, where she underwent successful treatment.

Nancy was suffering from idiopathic inflammatory orbital cellulitis, a condition in which the surrounding tissue of the eyeball develops swelling due to unknown causes, leading to pressure on the eyeball and optic nerve, resulting in swelling of the eyelids and blindness with paralysis of the eye movement muscles. Dr. Kranthi Mohan, Consultant Neurologist at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, explained, “Nancy is a known diabetic for the past five years, and doctors elsewhere started her on steroids to control the swelling. This led to high sugar levels.”

Nancy’s medical condition had started in 2021, but the symptoms had subsided with steroids. However, the symptoms resurfaced again in December 2022, leading her to seek medical help in the USA. Unfortunately, the treatment only provided her with painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications, and the swelling, loss of eye movement, and vision started in the first week of February 2023. After consulting with Dr. Mohan on video, Nancy was advised to fly down to India for treatment.

Dr. Prashanth R Reddy, Chief ENT and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgeon at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, said, “Nancy initially presented with complete closure of her eye, and she couldn’t move or see anything. We had to perform emergency surgery inside the nose, and it was a miracle that she regained her vision in just two days. The whole surgery was scarless and done endoscopically. We performed endoscopic orbital decompression to reduce swelling in the eye and optic nerve decompression to reduce swelling around the eye nerve.”

Endoscopic orbital decompression is a surgery that uses a tiny camera and small tools to remove some of the bone and tissue around the eye through the nose. This helps to reduce pressure inside the eye socket, which can cause swelling and affect eye movement. The surgery does not involve cutting the face.

Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is a surgery that uses a tiny camera and small tools to remove the bone around the optic (vision) nerve through the nose. This helps to improve the flow of fluids and blood to the nerve, which can restore vision that was lost due to pressure on the nerve.

Dr. Reddy added, “Patients who experience complete blindness (no perception of light) caused by orbital cellulitis usually do not recover if 24 hours have passed. However, in this case, the patient experienced complete blindness for three weeks but had almost fully regained their vision by the time they left Bangalore. This is an unusual case and shows that recovery is possible even after a longer period of blindness. It is important to note that this condition is commonly seen in diabetic patients and requires urgent evaluation to rule out mucormycosis in order to prevent vision loss.”

During Nancy’s treatment, she received care for five consecutive days. This consisted of one day for pre-surgical preparation, the day of the surgery, and three additional days of postoperative care.Her headache and eye pain disappeared immediately after surgery. After leaving the hospital, Nancy received follow-up care, including a nasal endoscopy to assess the nasal healing and suction clearance of blood clots from the nose.

Nancy shared her experience and gratitude, saying, ” I came to BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital in Bengaluru for medical treatment, and I am delighted with the progress so far. When I arrived, my eyes were closed, my blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and I suffered from severe headaches. Thanks to Dr. Reddy’s expert care, my right eye is now open, and I am very pleased with the outcome. Additionally, Dr. Mohan, the neurologist, provided me with invaluable information and medication that helped alleviate my headaches. The diabetic doctor was equally supportive in guiding me on how to manage my blood sugar levels through diet, medication, and lifestyle changes.

During my one-week admission, the medical team at the hospital provided me with excellent care and support. The follow-up appointments have been equally thorough and satisfactory. I would highly recommend anyone seeking medical treatment to consider BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital. The doctors and staff are compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to their patients’ well-being. Choosing this hospital will be the right decision, and you will not be disappointed.”