Hyderabad: Thirteen patients who underwent cataract operations in Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital recently developed severe infections. Five of them will lose their eyesight, say sources.

The operations were conducted on June 30 in the hospital’s Operation Theatre No. 2. While there are 10 OTs, only the 13 who were operated in OP No. 2 developed the infection.

Doctors at the hospital say that the infection was due to fungus in the saline bottles that were used during the operations. In the government hospital, one bottle is used for two to three patients. Dr Rajender Gupta, in-charge deputy superintendent at the hospital, said, “We have stopped all operations in the hospital. The saline bottles have been sent for testing. Five patients continue to be critical and the other eight have been discharged.”

A relative of one of the patients who is critical, a postgraduate medical student, complained to the director of health and medical education Dr M. Ramani. A senior government doctor said on condition of anonymity that the authorities were hushing up the matter.

Patient’s kin files police complaint
A police complaint has been registered against doctors of the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital by a relative of a patient who may lose his eyesight in the botched surgery case.

The complaint was filed by Mr Jitender Reddy, relative of Mr Anji Reddy who is in a critical condition, Mr Jitender Reddy, a resident of AS Rao Nagar here, said that the doctors were negligent and botched the surgery due to which Mr Anju Reddy could lose his eyesight.

Humayunnagar inspector Ravinder said the complaint was registered under Section 338 of IPC, due to the rash and negligent behaviour of doctors.