To avert blindness, doctors at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital on Friday replaced cornea of a 65-year-old woman, one of the 13 patients whose operated eye contracted a superbug infection following cataract surgery last month.
Lokalatali, a resident of Narsipatnam in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, was operated upon as her cornea turned opaque due to infection with Klebseilla bacteria. As medication failed to control the infection and save the woman’s cornea, a cadaver corneal tissue was transplanted.
The hospital administration has attributed the infection to contamination of Ringer’s Lactate (RL) Solution used for washing the eyes of the affected during surgery on June 30. The Nagpur-based manufacturer of the solution has blamed lack of hygiene at the hospital and improper use of the solution for contamination by surgeons. The State has instituted an enquiry into the incident that left five people in pain and without vision at the hospital.
“My eyes are watering. I could not see after the surgery earlier and it does not seem better now,” Lokalatali said, holding the right side of her head in pain. “Doctors are not saying if we will ever be able to see,” said Prabhavati, Lokalatali’s neighbour in the ward, whose right eye also contracted the bacteria.
Friday’s surgery is not the end of ordeal for Lokalatali. She needs another cornea transplant half a year later to be able to see.
‘Another surgery needed’
“Her cornea was replaced with transplant tissue to control infection but not to restore vision. Friday’s transplant was therapeutic. After a few months this cornea too will turn opaque. We will then perform another transplant for vision,” said Dr. Rajender Gupta. The hospital plans to perform a corneal transplant on Saturday on another patient whose cornea, like Lokalatali, has been damaged by infection.
Meanwhile, the Lokayutka and State Human Rights Commission took cognisance of the incident, ordering enquiries.
Lokalatali, a resident of Narsipatnam in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, was operated upon as her cornea turned opaque due to infection with Klebseilla bacteria. As medication failed to control the infection and save the woman’s cornea, a cadaver corneal tissue was transplanted.
The hospital administration has attributed the infection to contamination of Ringer’s Lactate (RL) Solution used for washing the eyes of the affected during surgery on June 30. The Nagpur-based manufacturer of the solution has blamed lack of hygiene at the hospital and improper use of the solution for contamination by surgeons. The State has instituted an enquiry into the incident that left five people in pain and without vision at the hospital.
“My eyes are watering. I could not see after the surgery earlier and it does not seem better now,” Lokalatali said, holding the right side of her head in pain. “Doctors are not saying if we will ever be able to see,” said Prabhavati, Lokalatali’s neighbour in the ward, whose right eye also contracted the bacteria.
Friday’s surgery is not the end of ordeal for Lokalatali. She needs another cornea transplant half a year later to be able to see.
‘Another surgery needed’
“Her cornea was replaced with transplant tissue to control infection but not to restore vision. Friday’s transplant was therapeutic. After a few months this cornea too will turn opaque. We will then perform another transplant for vision,” said Dr. Rajender Gupta. The hospital plans to perform a corneal transplant on Saturday on another patient whose cornea, like Lokalatali, has been damaged by infection.
Meanwhile, the Lokayutka and State Human Rights Commission took cognisance of the incident, ordering enquiries.