UK Eye Operation Patients in HIV & Hepatitis Alert

The patients at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital are told to go for a HIV blood test after it was discovered that the same surgical instrument was used for their eye operations. The patients have been called back to undergo blood tests for diseases including HIV and hepatitis.

The eye patients seem to have a tough time as they are suffering from the fear of a deadly disease. One of the patients involved said: "I am devastated. I went into hospital for a minor routine operation and now I am living in fear of a deadly disease."

Health experts, on the other hand assure that the risk is law and that it is only a routine checkup. They have also set up an emergency helpline for patients to call if they have concerns. It can be added that six operations were done on June 11. All of them are informed. A registrar has been suspended so far.

The hospital authority believe at this stage that the lack of cleaning was an isolated incident but they will try to establish whether there is a problem with the system.

The eye hospital helpline will be open from 9am to 5pm today and over the weekend - 0161 276 5621