Eye infection: Two patients from Layyah are recovering, says doctor

The rest will have to undergo further treatment.

MULTAN:

Of the 13 patients who were transferred from Layyah District Headquarters Hospital to Nishtar Hospital for treatment of severe post-operative eye infections, two have shown marked improvement and will be sent back home soon, Nishtar Medical Institute Ophthalmology Department head Ijaz Kanju said on Tuesday. 

The patients had undergone surgery for cataracts at Layyah DHQ and had been injected with a sub-standard steroid (dexamethasone) during post-op care.

Dr Kanju said that 11 patients had been referred to them initially and two more came a few days later.

“We have been giving them the best possible treatment. Four of them have shown some improvement,” he said.



Most of the patients were women aged 70 to 75 years. Their chances of recovery seemed bleak because of their age, he said.

Of 32 patients that underwent eye surgery at Layyah DHQ last week, 28 developed eye infections. Some of them were losing vision.

Dr Kanju said that two of the patients were regaining their vision and would be discharged in a few days.

“They can continue their treatment at home,” he said. “The rest need to undergo further treatment.” Dr Kanju said that a sample of the dexamethasone injection had been sent to the Lahore Drug Testing Laboratory for analysis.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2013.