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

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.”

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