WB Hospital halts cataract surgeries temporarily after 25 patients report complications
Kolkata: A West Bengal government-run hospital in Kolkata's Metiabruz has shut down cataract operations temporarily after over 25 patients started experiencing complications following cataract surgery.
They have been re-admitted in Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) after they developed complications like blurry vision, redness and pain in the eye. The state health department has also launched a probe to investigate the matter.
Speaking to PTI, an official informed that the cataract surgeries were performed on them last Friday and Saturday. It is not yet clear how the infection occurred, he said, adding that all the instruments used in the surgeries are being tested to find out the cause of the infection.
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"The reason behind the infection is yet not clear. We have stopped cataract surgery for the time being," the official of the hospital told PTI.
"All 25 patients have been transferred to the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology. They are undergoing treatment there," he said.
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According to health department sources, around 35 persons had undergone cataract surgery as part of a special eye camp. After the surgery, almost half of them have complained of blurry vision and are now undergoing conservative treatment at RIO. Health officials suspect there might have been contamination from either the operating theatre, surgical equipments or the medication given to the patients pre and post surgery, reports TOI.
Families of the patients said that the Metiabruz hospital staff had called the patients and asked them to return to the hospital on Monday. “When I took my mother back to the hospital and saw around eight more patients being re-examined, I realised that something was wrong,” said a youth. While all the required treatment is being given, many patients said they are unable to see after the surgery.
