Seven people in Dong Nai, two in Lam Dong, 22 in HCM City and 3 in An Giang contracted eye infections after eye surgeries in May.

Twenty-five patients in HCM City returned to the HCM City Eye Hospital for first aid from May 17-21 as their eyes swelled, stung and discharged pus days after they underwent cataract surgeries at this hospital. Three patients in An Giang province were reportedly in similar condition.

According to Dr. Lam Kim Phung, the Eye Hospital’s deputy director, tests of equipment samples and drugs showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria (pink-red rods) were present in trypan blue. The agent is used to stain the retinal membrane during cataract surgeries and is intended for use in a process known as phaco-emulsification. It is produced by India’s Khosla Pharmaceutical Company.

Dr. Phung noted the hospital opted for the drug because its pharmaceutical company won the bidding. The hospital claims that the Ministry of Health approved the use of the dye in eye operations. The Eye Hospital’s scientific council also held a meeting to examine the procedure, concluding that everything was conducted properly.

The Department of Health has ordered all clinics in HCM City to stop using the blue dye.

After the incidents in HCM City and An Giang, Lam Dong reported 2 incidences, while Dong Nai province reported 7 similar cases, all of which involved the use of trypan blue. Of the 34 patients, 15 in HCM City are still in the hospital. A woman of over 80 years suffered serious injury, and doctors apparently may be unable to save her eyes.

Physicians agree that this was the first time such cases happened in Vietnam.

Source: VNE, SGGP