India, Feb. 20 -- As many as nine patients had to get an eye removed, and nine others lost vision in one of the eyes after they developed an infection following cataract surgeries at a private hospital here, prompting authorities to seal the facility and order an inquiry. Official sources said on Thursday that the surgeries were conducted on 30 patients during an eye camp held at New Rajesh Hitech Hospital on February 1.

They said that within 24 hours of the surgeries, several patients began complaining of severe pain and discharge from the operated eye. At least 18 developed infections and were referred to hospitals in Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi as their condition worsened, with one patient, however, partially regaining vision later, o...