Failed cataract surgeries:With 2 fresh cases,number of victims

The number of victims of botched up cataract surgeries in Madhya Pradesh's Indore who have lost vision in the affected eye due to a bacterial infection, has risen to 15 with two more patients coming forward on Tuesday.

Earlier, thirteen patients had developed complications after undergoing surgeries as part of the National Programme for Control of Blindness at the private Indore Netra Chikitsalay on August 5 and 8.

"I got operated in my right eye at the hospital on August 5. Since the surgical dressing was removed from my eye on August 6, I am unable to see anything," said Mishrilal Choudhary, 68, a resident of Banganga area.

He said the hospital has returned the fees charged for the procedure.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Praveen Jadia said Choudhary has been sent to Shankar Netralaya in Chennai in a flight since he has contracted serious infection in his eyes.

Another patient, Balmukund Vaishnav (58), is undergoing treatment at Choithram Hospital in the city for the infection developed in his operated eye, along with other patients.

Vaishnav's son Ashutosh said his father, a medical practioner, underwent cateract surgery for one of his eyes at the Chikitsalay on August 5.

Choitharam Hospital managing trustee Ashwini Verma said, "It would have been life threatening for patients had the infection reached their brains".

The infection is belived to have been caused by pseudomonas bacteria.

According to state government officials, nine patients are currently undegoing treatment at Choithram Hospital while four serious patients have been sent to Shankar Netralaya.

Earlier, surgeons had to remove an affected eye each of two victims to stop the spread of infection. Later, a prosthetic eye will be placed in the empty socket through cosmetic surgery.

State Public Health Minister Tulsiram Silawat had said that a seven-member committee headed by Indore Divisional Commissioner will probe the incident.

Chikitsalay director Dr Sudhir Mahasabde had said the inquiry was being conducted into the "unfortunate" incident.