THREE Gwent epilepsy patients are suing a pharmaceutical company over allegations that a drug used to treat the condition damaged their eyesight.

Michelle Coyne, 36, of Park Gardens, James Brimble, 67, of Hamilton Street, both of Newport, and Wendy Davies, 46, of Mount Pleasant, Ebbw Vale, are part of a huge legal action against Aventis- Pharma Ltd.

The complainants are seeking £100,000 in damages from the drugs manufacturers, alleging that the drug Vigabatrin, more commonly known as Sabril, damaged their field of vision.

Michelle Coyne was diagnosed with epilepsy ten years ago and Sabril was among the first drugs she took.

The drug, which comes in tablets and sachets, works by blocking the extra messages to the brain which can trigger a seizure. She said: "I took the drug for between six and 12 months about ten years ago. It was one of the first drugs that I tried after being diagnosed with epilepsy, but it had little effect.

"Shortly after I stopped taking the drugs I had to have cataracts removed and lost part of my field of vision. Now I cannot see if anyone is coming to the side of me. I want to find out whether this was caused by me taking this drug."

Aventis launched the anti-epilepsy drug in 1989 to control severe seizures in both children and adults.

The case will focus on whether Aventis-Pharma did enough to warn patients that there might be a potential risk to their eyesight.

It is expected to start at the end of next year and patients have until the end of September to put forward new claims. About 15 people from across Wales are involved in the litigation.

Plymouth-based solicitors Wolferstans are handling the case, and a spokesman claimed some of the cases involved people who were now registered blind.

A statement from Aventis said: "We cannot comment on individual cases but we are defending all the claims that have been made."