Dubai-born, legally blind baby Savanna gets the gift of sight The True Path

Born in Dubai, Savanna Nwodo was just a few weeks’ old when her mother Jennifer realised that something was wrong with her sight. Savanna’s visual awareness was very poor compared to other babies.


She took Savanna to a local hospital in Dubai where she
was diagnosed with retinal detachment and retinal
‘dragging’. Jennifer was told that Savanna was legally blind,
and there was nothing they could do.

Devastated but not giving up hope, Jennifer began to
conduct her own research online and eventually came to
London. Savanna was diagnosed to have Familial Exudative
Vitreo-Retinopathy (Fevr) by Professor Michaelides, an
expert in genetic (inherited) retinal conditions.
Recognising that surgery may be of benefit, he referred
Savanna to Chien Wong at Great Ormond Street Hospital
(Gosh) in London.

Fevr is a progressive condition that could eventually have
left Savanna completely blind. Fevr causes interruption in
normal blood vessel development, resulting in the formation
of abnormal new blood vessels on the edge of the retina,
leading to a ‘dragging’ of the retina and sight-threatening
retinal detachment in some cases.

According to a media statement by the Great Ormond Street
Hospital, Wong introduced endoscopic vitrectomy surgery
for babies to the UK in 2014.

Gosh is one of only two centres in the world that offers the
specialist treatment, the statement added.

“Savanna had a highly complex retinal detachment in her
right eye which meant that the conventional surgical
technique for FEVR was not ideal, as the surgical risks were
high and her natural lens would have to be sacrificed,”
explains Wong. “With this new microsurgical technique, I
was able to precisely and safely operate on Savanna’s
retinal detachment as well as importantly being able to
preserve her lens.”

Under the care of Wong, Savanna underwent the surgery at
Gosh on January 24, 2015. The operation took four hours
and Savanna’s parents were able to take her home that
same day.

“We come back to Gosh for regular check-ups to monitor
her eyesight and have been using a patch and simple
exercises to strengthen her right eye,” explains Jennifer.
“So far it’s amazing, she is much better. She can play with
her sister and run around, which is a big deal for us.”
Wong noted: “Savanna has done very well considering the
complexity of her condition and the very young age at
which she required surgery. This was only possible because
of state-of-the-art endoscopic vitreoretinal surgical
technique. It is very encouraging that her parents have
already noticed significant improvement in her vision.”
Jennifer praised the hospital for the treatment her daughter
received.

“The nursing staff on Bumblebee Ward (where Savanna
was treated) were all very supportive and professional. My
seven-month-old baby was going into surgery and it was a
very difficult time for me, but the team on the ward were
very kind and understanding. We’ve had a great experience
with all of the medical staff at Gosh, and especially Wong
himself.”

Source:emirates247