Negligence in cataract operation

Jabalpur, Jan 19: An eye surgeon has been fined for negligently performing a cataract operation threatening to loss of eyesight. Jabalpur District Consumer Forum directed the eye surgeon RK Khare from Jabalpur Medical College to pay Rs 1 lakh to the complainant. Besides, it also directed the medical practitioner to pay Rs 1,000 as litigation fee and any delay would cause six per cent interest. 

The complainant Kripa Shankar Tiwari in his petition said he was operated upon for cataract at Dr Khare's private clinic on January 2, 2005. However, his level of sugar in his blood was checked while performing operation due to which the patient developed infection in his eye threatening loss of eyesight. Subsequent examination showed that he was having high blood sugar. On the direction of local eye specialist Dr Pawan Sthapak, who was consulted on January 17, the patient was referred to Chennai's Shankar Netralaya, where loss of eyesight was prevented through surgery. The patient sought Rs 1.50 lakh towards medical expenses and another Rs 55,000 for the mental agony caused due to negligent treatment.