Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A reported case from Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, where a 19-month-old toddler allegedly lost his eyesight after being administered the wrong medication during treatment, has raised serious concerns over medication errors and eye safety.
While the allegations are under investigation, the incident has also triggered questions over whether saline drops in the eyes can actually cause blindness.
Medical experts say the answer depends entirely on what was put into the eye. Sterile saline, which is routinely used in ophthalmic care, is considered safe. However, non-sterile solutions or medicines meant for oral, nasal or ear use can severely damage the eye, particularly if corrective treatment is delayed.
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According to reports, the child was taken to Banda Civil Hospital in Sagar district on May 29 after developing cold symptoms and redness in the eyes.
The family has alleged that the duty doctor administered a nasal drop into the child’s eyes, along with other medicines, following which the child’s condition deteriorated instead of improving.
The toddler was first referred to the district hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhopal. The family claims they were informed that the child had permanently lost vision because of incorrect treatment.
Based on the complaint, the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) has constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. The exact sequence of events, including the medicine administered and whether there was any medical negligence, remains under investigation.
CAN SALINE CAUSE BLINDNESS?
Experts emphasise that sterile saline itself does not cause blindness. Up to 5% sterile saline solutions are commonly used in ophthalmology for eye irrigation and certain treatments, veteran ophthalmologist Dr Noshir M Shroff told India Today.
They are formulated to match the eye’s salt concentration and are safe for ocular tissues, but the danger arises if the liquid is not sterile or if it is not an ophthalmic preparation at all.
“If the drop isn’t sterile, it can damage the eye,” Dr Shroff underlined. Contamination can introduce bacteria or fungi, leading to serious infections that may affect vision if not treated promptly.
Similarly, accidentally putting medicines such as cough syrup, nasal drops or ear drops into the eye can result in significant injury because these products are designed for entirely different tissues and contain ingredients that are unsafe for the eye.
WHY THE EYE IS VULNERABLE
According to Dr Rita Dash, senior consultant in ophthalmology at Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar, the eye’s surface is extremely delicate and can be injured by chemicals that are harmless elsewhere in the body.
Eye drops are specifically designed with a pH level and salt concentration compatible with the eye. In contrast, oral cough syrups and many nasal or ear preparations may contain preservatives, sugars, flavouring agents or alcohol that can irritate or chemically injure the ocular surface.
The severity of damage depends on several factors, including, the type of medication involved, its chemical composition, the quantity that entered the eye and how quickly appropriate treatment was started.
Exposure to the wrong medication can trigger severe burning, redness, excessive watering, swelling, blurred vision and injury to the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye.
WHEN CAN VISION LOSS OCCUR?
Doctors stress that blindness from accidental medication errors is rare, but it is medically possible in severe cases.
If the wrong substance causes extensive corneal damage or leads to an untreated infection or ulcer, vision can be permanently affected. Non-sterile saline or oral medicines accidentally instilled into the eye may cause corneal ulcers, which, if deep or left untreated, can scar the cornea and result in irreversible vision loss.
However, early treatment can often prevent permanent damage.
In some cases, the injury is reversible if the eye is irrigated immediately and the patient receives prompt specialist care. Delayed treatment, on the other hand, significantly increases the risk of lasting complications.
PREVENTION AND CARE IN CASE OF ERROR
Eye specialists advise that if any incorrect medicine accidentally enters the eye, the first priority is to flush the eye thoroughly with clean water or sterile saline as soon as possible.
People should avoid rubbing the eye, as this can worsen the injury by increasing friction on already damaged tissues.
No additional eye drops should be used unless advised by an ophthalmologist, because some medications may aggravate the chemical injury.
Anyone experiencing severe pain, persistent redness, blurred vision or swelling after accidental exposure should seek urgent medical evaluation rather than wait for symptoms to settle.
Experts say most accidental eye medication injuries are preventable. Simple precautions – such as storing eye drops separately from oral, nasal and ear medications, checking labels carefully before use and ensuring only prescribed ophthalmic preparations are instilled into the eye – can dramatically reduce the risk.
Healthcare workers are also advised to verify medication labels before administration, particularly in busy clinical settings where look-alike bottles can contribute to errors, according to Dr Dash.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
