India cataract operations probed

By Ram Dutt Tripathi
BBC News, Lucknow

Officials in India's Uttar Pradesh state say at least five patients have lost their sight due to infections during free cataract operations.

The patients were being treated at a government hospital in the state capital, Lucknow, last week.

Officials hope another 19 patients also infected will regain some vision. The cause of infection is still unclear.

Cataract operations are generally considered to be almost risk free, and easy and cheap to perform.

There have been a number of suspensions at the hospital, causing some resentment among staff who say the action has been taken before an inquiry report has been completed.

Tests are under way to determine the cause of infection.

Thousands of older people are operated on for cataracts in special camps and government hospitals every year in India.

In a similar incident in December, nine patients lost their eyesight after undergoing cataract surgery at a government-aided eye hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapaur district.

Last August, eight patients lost their eyesight and 21 became partially blind after free eye surgery in Tamil Nadu.