At least ten patients have been left permanently blind following botched cataract surgeries at an illegal medical camp in Punjab state, India, health officials say. The operations were carried out at a free, unofficial "eye camp" at Guru Nanak Charitable Hospital, Ghuman, organized by a non-government organization, Amritsar's deputy commissioner Ravi Bhagat told CNN. Sixty-two people, mostly of them aged over 60, had undergone cataract surgery at the camp, held on November 4-5, Anil Joshi, Punjab's Minister for Local Bodies, Medical Education and Research told CNN. Seventeen later complained of severe pain in their eyes, he said, and had subsequently been treated at an eye clinic at Amritsar's Government Medical College.
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At least 10 patients have been blinded by botched cataract surgery at a free "eye camp" in India
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Officials say the camp was illegal and a police report has been filed against organizers
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Free health camps are commonplace in India, bringing healthcare to poor rural people
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But a rash of recent incidents has brought the camps under increased scrutiny
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