Blindness case from Buri Ram hospital

By The Nation

Published on January 14, 2010

As the controversy about blindness caused by surgery at the Khon Kaen Hospital continues, a similar case surfaced yesterday involving a state hospital in Buri Ram.

In a complaint lodged with the Thailanguage Kom Chad Luek newspaper, bicycle repairman Bunthak Phoobuatuang said he lost sight in his right eye after undergoing cataract surgery on October 1, unlike other patients who regained their sight just a few days after the operation.

The 52yearold said that he had kept three appointments with his ophthalmologist in October but it was in vain.

"The doctor never answered when I asked about when I would regain vision in my right eye.

"He just kept giving me eye drops and once said: 'Don't be sorry. This occurs in one out of a hundred operations. Do you want to continue treatment in Bangkok or Khon Kaen'?"

The man later visited ophthalmologists at the Khon Kaenbased Srinakarin Hospital three times, with the last visit on January 8. He added that a correctional surgery to "connect nerve fibres" in the right eye was scheduled for April 2.

The Buri Ram provincial health office chief, Somphong Jarungjittanusont, said an investigation was under way and would soon determine whether the Buri Ram case was similar to the severe infections that left 10 people blind after undergoing surgery at Khon Kaen Hospital.

Meanwhile, a doctor specialising in medical investigation said there was just a 10percent chance of finding out the real cause behind Khon Kaen Hospital patients losing their sight.

Dr Somwang Danwijitchai, a senior member of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, said accurate results can only be expected if the investigation was conducted within a few days of the occurrence of the mishap.

"It is like a police case - if an investigation begins several days after a theft takes place, the chances of achieving accurate results are as slim as 10 per cent," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-01-14

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"It is like a police case - if an investigation begins several days after a theft takes place, the chances of achieving accurate results are as slim as 10 per cent," he said.

Laying the groundwork for absolving the hospital of all responsibility? Or just like the American Wild West: "at night, wagon trains were often formed into a circle (a "laager") for shelter from wind or weather..."

Sounds like a real cop out by the hospitals, no real attempt to get to the truth- maybe the adverse publicity will have some effect.

I wonder if that same 'eye cleaner' device was used in both cases;

one supplied from the same source?

Edited January 14, 201016 yr by animatic

THANK YOU Thai Visa: Due to your report I had my wife run out and buy the quoted Thai newspaper (not her normal Thai newspaper), she then "postponed" her Father's cataract surgery at the Buriram Hospital scheduled for this weekend. Once things get "sorted out" she can take him for the procedure, but ONLY because of your News Alert were we aware of this problem in Buriram. Please keep up the good work.

Dr Somwang Danwijitchai, a senior member of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, said accurate results can only be expected if the investigation was conducted within a few days of the occurrence of the mishap.

"It is like a police case - if an investigation begins several days after a theft takes place, the chances of achieving accurate results are as slim as 10 per cent," he said.

Bull's manure!

Did the surgeon do a runner??

Edited January 17, 201016 yr by Tanaka