Hema-Quebec Saves the Sight of a Child
Friday, January 23 2015 | 00 h 00 min | Vision Science
Eye drops developed by Hema-Quebec have prevented blindness in a young child with a severe ligneous conjunctivitis.
The Quebec boy suffered from a blood plasminogen deficiency (a protein deficiency), which led to conjunctivitis. Dr. Isabelle Laliberté, pediatric ophthalmologist at the Hospital of the University of Laval, had tried everything to treat it, including fresh plasma transfusions and surgeries.
She had learned that it is possible to manufacture plasminogen concentrated eye drops, but they are not readily available on the market, due to the rarity of the disease. She contacted Louis Thibault’s team at Hema Quebec, who took on the special task and succeeded in making them. The three-year-old boy can now carry out normal day-to-day activities.
