Panel to probe 'botched' cataract surgeries in Trichy

Trichy: The Times of India report on the alleged botched cataract surgeries which cost four women their vision has prompted the joint director of health services (JDHS) of Pudukkottai district to form a committee to initiate a detailed inquiry into the incident.

"We are planning to launch a field investigation by meeting the patients who complained of loss of vision. After getting concurrence from higher officials, a neutral committee will be formed comprising a reputed doctor, an NGO and senior ophthalmologists to ascertain the facts behind their complaints," JDHS Dr Syed Mohideen told ToI on Wednesday.

During the field investigation by TOI on Monday, S Annammal, 57, S Natchathiram, 65, and C Reeta, 50, from Eaganivayal village and S Siluvai Mary, 60, from Vallikadu near Venkidakulam in Pudukkottai district complained of loss of vision in one of their eyes after undergoing the cataract surgeries under the National Programme for Control of Blindness at the Pudukkottai government hospital in 2015.

While the patients alleges negligence on the part of the hospital, the District Blindness Control Society blames the patients for ignoring post-operative care. Responding to the allegation, dean of the recently upgraded Pudukkottai Government Medical College Hospital Dr D Parimaladevi blamed ophthalmic assistants for "not doing" proper follow-up after the surgery.

"There was no botched up surgery because the hyper-mature patients are vulnerable to complications due to the weakness of the optic nerve. It is the duty of the ophthalmic assistants to keep a track of the patients and bring them to the doctors for treatment in case of any complications. However, some of them failed to do so," Parimaladevi told TOI.