67-year-old man loses vision after cataract surgery, files complaint against Opthalmologists

Mumbai: In a shocking case of alleged medical negligence, a 67-year-old businessman from Navi Mumbai has filed complaints with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and the Vashi police, claiming he permanently lost vision in his left eye following cataract surgery performed by a father-son ophthalmologist duo.

According to the complaint, the doctors allegedly overlooked his pre-existing diabetic condition and ignored vital pre-operative safeguards, leading to severe complications, including permanent vision loss.

The businessman had been experiencing problems with his vision, and he first consulted the father-son ophthalmologist duo in December 2024. Despite disclosing his uncontrolled diabetes, the doctors allegedly pressured him into undergoing cataract surgery on his right eye.

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Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said, “I was worried about the risks. But they kept saying, ‘We’ve done surgeries on diabetics worse than you. Nothing will go wrong.”

On December 31, 2024, the businessman proceeded with the first surgery on his right eye, after paying an advance of ₹70,000. However, he experienced persistent discomfort, a poking sensation, and blurred vision after the surgery. Despite his concerns, the doctors assured him that the issues would resolve with time.

As per the news reports, on March 27, 2025, the patient paid an additional ₹30,000 for the surgery on his left eye. Despite informing the doctors about his diabetic condition and the fact that his right eye had not fully healed, Gupta asked if it was safe to proceed. The doctors reassured him, stating that everything would normalize after the second surgery. However, just two days later, Gupta's left eye went dark.

He described feeling pain and pressure but being unable to see anything. When he visited the doctor on April 6, he was informed that an ulcer had formed and was referred to another centre for further treatment.

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According to Hindustan Times, at the centre where he was referred, a specialist said he was suffering from a severe corneal infection and recommended urgent treatment or a corneal transplant if vision did not return. Since Gupta could not afford further surgery, his daughter Deepali took him to another doctor who ran some investigations. The reports showed he was suffering from an infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a virulent bacterium known to cause rapid and permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections occur when the bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, especially in people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.

The family of the patient contends that the infection was exacerbated by his diabetic condition, which compromises the body’s ability to fight infections. They also suspect lapses in the surgical hygiene practices during the cataract procedures, including the use of sterile instruments, aseptic techniques, and proper disinfection of the operating environment.

The patient's daughter stated that they kept informing the doctor, but he kept switching eye drops without proper follow-up or preventive care. She mentioned that Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapidly damages the eye, and if the doctor had acted in time, her father’s vision might have been saved.

She also accused the doctor of not having a medical degree, claiming that he uses his father’s credentials and signs off documents under that name, which she described as unethical and possibly illegal.

In response to these allegations, the doctor denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they had performed the surgeries in good faith and that Gupta’s vision loss was an unfortunate immune response. He clarified that there was no negligence involved, explaining that the corneal ulcer in the first eye developed a week later, which can occur in diabetic patients even without surgery. He also mentioned that his father, a qualified senior surgeon, had performed the surgery, and that other patients who had surgery both before and after Gupta experienced normal recoveries.

The doctor characterised the infection as “an unfortunate immune response”. Regarding concerns about his credentials as a doctor, he said, “Our MMC registration is under renewal. It’s a standard procedure every three years. Everything is under process,” Hindustan Times reports.

The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) confirmed receipt of Gupta’s complaint and stated that a preliminary inquiry was underway to determine whether any professional negligence occurred during the surgeries. Meanwhile, the businessman awaits justice, unable to perform daily chores or run his business. He states that the surgeries have stolen his sight and independence. He only seeks accountability to ensure that others are not left in darkness.