The Department of Health and Family Welfare submitted a preliminary report on the issue of cataract surgery conducted by the Charmakki Narayana Shetty Lions (CNSL) Eye Hospital at Kota in Udupi district from August 1 to 3, to the district administration here on Saturday.
Eight persons had developed infection in their eyes and complained of loss of vision after having cataract surgery at the CNSL Eye Hospital from August 1 to 3. The cause of the tragedy was suspected to be contamination of solution used during surgery.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Ramachandra Bairy told The Hindu that his department had prepared a preliminary report on the cataract surgery and copies of the report had been despatched to the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, and the Joint Director of Ophthalmology in Bangalore on Saturday.
“In our preliminary report, we have said the solutions used during the surgery may have been contaminated leading to infection of eyeballs,” he said.
Dr. Bairy said the 14 items, including lotions, injunctions, and gloves collected from the CNSL Hospital by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on August 17 were tested at the District Surveillance Laboratory here.
The test report of these items would be available on Monday.
Although August 18 was a holiday, the department would collect the test reports. “A clear picture on this matter is expected to emerge only after these test reports are available,” he said.
Based on these test reports, the Department of Health and Family Welfare would prepare a final report and submit it to the Deputy Commissioner most likely on Tuesday, Dr. Bairy said.
