Forty-five people who underwent cataract surgery at a free eye camp in Theni district are in danger of losing their eye sight. The authorities are yet to ascertain if it was the unhygienic conditions at the operating theatre, callous attitude of doctors or contaminated water used.Microbiologists are conducting swab tests. The camp, organised by the Blindness Control Society in Madurai, was held at the Andipatti Panchayat Union office by doctors of the Periyakulam Government Hospital (PGH) on January 23. More than 300 people from Andipatti and the surrounding areas attended the camp and 45 of them were referred to the PGH for cataract operations.Sources said Dr Sheik Mastan of the PGH, assisted by a team of doctors from Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, performed the operations on January 23 and 24 in which the patients were implanted with artificial lenses.The following day, two patients — one from Jayamangalam in Andipatti constituency and another from Vadugapatti — complained about severe pain in the eye. Two days later, three patients — Sellathayee, Ayyavoo and Malliah from Andipatti — complained of swelling in the eye. They were soon joined by other patients from Bodi, Cuddalore and surrounding areas.On examination, PGH doctors found the operated eyes were infected. The patients were then referred to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai. One of these patients has been admitted at a private hospital in Madurai.GRH Dean Dr A.J. Balakrishna Rao has ordered an enquiry into the incident. Rao claimed there are chances of at least 90 per cent of the patients getting back their eyesight. A PTI report quoted two of the patients as saying: ‘‘Before the operation, we at least had a hazy vision, now it is total darkness.’’The patients at GRH are being monitored round-the-clock. According to Theni’s Joint Director (Health) Radha Subbulakshmi, only two patients had complained of pain and they had both been referred to the GRH. The others went to Madurai as they feared losing their eye sight.Theni District Collector Atul Anand said there were a few complaints of swelling and pus-formation. Following this, the patients were referred to the Madurai GRH. ‘‘We have information that the patients are showing marked improvement and would be discharged within a day or two,’’ Anand said.A PTI report said PGH sources had mentioned a dead rat in the operation theatre’s airconditioner but but could not say whether this had any relation to the incident.
