{"id":33724,"date":"2025-02-20T17:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T17:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/?p=33724"},"modified":"2025-09-29T16:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T16:06:22","slug":"donated-placenta-saves-mans-eye-after-acid-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/us\/2025\/02\/donated-placenta-saves-mans-eye-after-acid-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Donated Placenta Saves Man\u2019s Eye After Acid Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

After an acid attack that \u201cmelted\u201d his left eye, Paul Laskey thought he would lose his sight entirely. Now, a series of amnion grafts from a donated placenta has saved his eye, stabilizing it and preventing further damage.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

A long road to recovery<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mr. Laskey, from Newcastle, UK, had acid squirted over his face after confronting a mugger, in February 2023. After he was rushed to hospital, doctors found that the chemical burn had, in effect, \u201cmelted\u201d his left eye. The inner and outer layers of his cornea both suffered severe damage; the burn had caused limbal stem cell failure and severe neurotrophic keratopathy. In other words, the eye couldn\u2019t repair or regenerate the cells within the cornea. Furthermore, the eye nerves didn\u2019t work correctly.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

Doctors feared Mr. Laskey would lose his eye entirely. First, they began by cleaning the eye, removing any remnants of the acid that might have still been there.[3]<\/a> Then, over the following eight months, Mr. Laskey underwent several surgeries, including two cornea transplants.<\/p>\n

He also received three amnion grafts to stabilize his eye and help it heal, stopping his sight from deteriorating further. The first graft was a week after the attack, and the last more than a year later, in June 2024.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

Amnion grafts and eye injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

Amnion grafts are made from placenta \u2013 more specifically, from the amniotic membrane, the thin membrane on the inner side of the placenta which forms the amniotic sac. The amnion has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n

Mothers who deliver at specific hospitals may be able to choose to donate their placenta.[6]<\/a> Scientists then use these to create specialised tissue grafts \u2013 between 50 and 100 from each donated placenta. These grafts are used to treat eye injuries, as well as burns and wounds.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n

Ophthalmologist Prof. Francisco Figueredo, who treated Mr. Laskey, said that amnion grafts have been essential in helping the management of his severe eye burn.[3]<\/a> Having saved his eye and preserved the vision he still has, doctors are now hoping to restore more of his eyesight through stem cell treatment.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

The future of placental therapy<\/h3>\n

Paul Laskey\u2019s story unquestionably highlights the remarkable potential of the placenta and amnion. In addition to treatment for eye injuries, amnion grafts have also helped to save limbs from amputation<\/a> and aided in facial reconstruction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although the regenerative properties of the amniotic membrane have been known for some time, research continues to explore the possible uses of the placenta and its components. Undoubtedly, only time will tell what other potentially life-saving treatments it could be used for.<\/p>\n

Amnion patches, for instance, have been used to treat patients with inflammatory heart conditions[7]<\/a>. Researchers have also used mesenchymal stem cells from the amniotic membrane to 3D print muscles, bone fragments, and even ears[8]<\/a>. The placenta itself is also rich in mesenchymal stem cells, which are being studied to treat illnesses ranging from Crohn\u2019s disease[9]<\/a> to osteoarthritis[10]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the potential uses of the placenta and other birth tissues, and how you could preserve them for your baby and family\u2019s use in years to come, fill in the form below to receive your free info kit.<\/p>\n

References<\/h3>\n

[1] Barbour, S. (2025). Newcastle man\u2019s eye saved with help of placenta after acid attack.<\/em>\u00a0BBC News. https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c8r5zz3yp0go<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[2] Harwood-Baynes, M. (2025).\u00a0Battery acid attack victim reveals how donated placenta treatment saved his eye<\/i>. Sky News. https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/battery-acid-attack-victim-reveals-how-donated-placenta-treatment-saved-his-eye-13312465<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[3] Pickover, E. (2025).\u00a0Donated placenta saves acid attack victim\u2019s eye<\/i>. The Independent. https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/health-and-families\/acid-attack-eye-placenta-transplant-b2700916.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[4] Alsford, L. (2025).\u00a0Man used woman\u2019s placenta to re-build his eye after acid attack<\/i>. Metro. https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/20\/man-used-womans-placenta-re-build-eye-save-sight-acid-attack-22579732\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[5] Cleveland Clinic. Amniotic Membrane: Anatomy, Function & Conditions<\/i>. https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/body\/amniotic-membrane<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[6]<\/span> Donate Life America. (n.d.). Birth tissue donation.<\/em> Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https:\/\/donatelife.net\/donation\/organs\/birth-tissue\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[7] Marsh, K.M. et al. (2017). Anti-inflammatory properties of amniotic membrane patch following pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery<\/i>, 12(1). doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13019-017-0567-7<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[8] Kang, H.-W., Lee, S.J., Ko, I.K., Kengla, C., Yoo, J.J. and Atala, A. (2016). A 3D bioprinting system to produce human-scale tissue constructs with structural integrity.\u00a0Nature Biotechnology<\/i>, 34(3), pp.312\u2013319. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nbt.3413<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[9] Jung Pyo Lee, Jung, J., Lee, H., Su Jin Jeong, Kyung Hwa Cho, Seong Ju Hwang and Gi Beom Kim (2012). Comparison of immunomodulatory effects of placenta mesenchymal stem cells with bone marrow and adipose mesenchymal stem cells. 13(2), pp.219\u2013224. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.intimp.2012.03.024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[10] Khalifeh Soltani, et al. (2019). Safety and efficacy of allogenic placental mesenchymal stem cells for treating knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Cytotherapy<\/i>, [online] 21(1), pp.54\u201363. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jcyt.2018.11.003<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”down-arrow” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#bd144f” custom_padding=”0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”RWP” module_id=”request-welcome-pack” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

FIND OUT MORE, REQUEST YOUR FREE INFO KIT TODAY<\/h3>\n

All you need to know to make an informed decision.<\/p>\n

Provide your contact details to request:<\/p>\n

– Complete Info Kit and your Guide to Cord Blood Banking
– Information via email
– Contact from our specialist advisors<\/p>\n

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