Placenta Donation Helps Man Regain Sight After Acid Attack

newcastle, uk - An Englishman, Paul Laskey, partially regains his sight with the help of a donated placenta after being attacked with acid.

Man Regains Sight with Donated Placenta

Following an acid attack in Newcastle, Paul Laskey feared losing his left eye. A donated placenta played a crucial role in partially saving his vision.

Paul, 43, confronted a 21-year-old who had robbed his son of a gold chain, leading to the acid attack. He recalls the immediate aftermath, unable to see or breathe due to the acid's impact on his face.

Rushed to the hospital, Paul learned of the severe damage to his eye, with layers of the cornea 'melted,' rendering cells unable to regenerate and nerves nonfunctional.

Months of surgeries, including two corneal transplants, followed. The option of using donated placenta tissue emerged.

Paul underwent three amnion transplants, where tissue from the inner wall of a donated placenta is cut into small pieces. These transplants stabilized his eye and preserved his remaining sight.

The healing membrane, obtained post-birth with maternal consent, is stored under sterile conditions at -80°C, allowing for long-term preservation.

Specialists noted Paul's eye injury as one of the most severe cases treated. He faced sensitivity to light, inability to work for six months, and depth perception challenges.

Despite ongoing struggles, Paul sees hope for future operations to improve his vision, crediting the placenta transplant for saving his eye.

The attacker confessed and received a lengthy prison sentence.