In a tragic situation in São Paulo, Brazil, a cataract campaign that took place on Jan. 30 has resulted in 18 people becoming blind due to contaminated surgical instruments, according to a G1. Globo.com report (computer translated).

 Instruments used in cataract operations. From a 1780 edition of Johannes de Gorter’s Cirugia expurgada. Courtesy Wellcome Library
Instruments used in cataract operations. From a 1780 edition of Johannes de Gorter’s Cirugia expurgada. Courtesy Wellcome Library

Patients were blinded after cataract surgery on the joint effort of the Hospital das Clinicas Alvarenga, in São Bernardo do Campo, in the Greater São Paulo. The inquiry found that of 27 patients who had surgery, 22 had endophthalmitis, inflammation caused by bacteria and at least 18 were blinded.

The report notes that unsterilized surgical instruments were used and doctors and nurses performing the procedure did not wash their hand or change out surgical gowns.

A Feb. 2016 report in Agencia Brasil (computer translated) noted that the organism implicated was Pseudomonas.

The Public Ministry of São Paulo reports that a civil investigation was initiated in February to investigate the causes and consequences occurred during the task force. The Civil Police also filed police investigation to ascertain the facts.

The Regional Council of São Paulo Medical (CREMESP) reports that they also initiated inquiry to investigate the case.

Endophthalmitis is the term used to describe severe inflammation of the tissues inside the eye. The inflammation is typically due to infection by bacteria (eg. Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus species, Gram-negative bacteria) or fungi (eg. Candida, Aspergillus). It is rarely caused by viruses (herpes simplex or herpes zoster) or protozoa (eg. Toxocara, Toxoplasma).

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