MP Horror: Toddler Hospitalised for Cold, Loses Eyesight Forever, Here’s How!
A 19-month-old toddler allegedly lost his eyesight after the wrong medicine was accidentally put into his eyes at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh, triggering a medical negligence probe.
A routine hospital visit for a cold, cough and mild eye redness turned into a life-altering tragedy for a 19-month-old toddler in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district, sparking allegations of medical negligence.
The incident reportedly occurred on 29 May 2026 at Banda Civil Hospital, where the child's father, Indraj Vishwakarma, sought treatment. The family alleges that instead of the prescribed eye drops, a medicine meant for cough relief or nasal use was mistakenly administered into the toddler's eyes.
Soon after, the child's condition worsened. Despite remaining at the hospital for several hours, there was no improvement. He was later referred to Sagar District Hospital and then AIIMS Bhopal, where the family claims doctors informed them that the child had suffered permanent vision loss.
The devastated father has lodged a police complaint, accusing the hospital of negligence. In response, Sagar's Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr Ganga Prasad Arya, has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to determine what medicine was prescribed, what was actually administered, and whether any lapse occurred. Both the police and health department are investigating.
The case has also raised concerns about whether saline eye drops can cause blindness. Eye specialists clarify that sterile saline made for ophthalmic use is completely safe. The real risk arises when medicines intended for the nose, ears or oral use are accidentally put into the eyes. Such products may contain preservatives, alcohol or other chemicals that can severely damage the cornea, potentially leading to ulcers, scarring and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss if treatment is delayed.
Doctors emphasise that blindness from such medication errors is uncommon and is often preventable with immediate medical intervention.
The incident comes days after another alleged case of medical negligence in Sagar, where a patient died during treatment at Bundelkhand Medical College. That case, too, remains under investigation.
