Doctors assess extent of damage to Baljit’s eye

PTI 21 July 2009, 05:

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh’s condition remained unchanged even as the doctors at the All India Institute of Medical
Baljit Singh
Sciences (AIIMS) put his injured right eye under numerous tests to ascertain the extent of damage.

“There is no change in the condition of his eye. We have removed the bandage and observing him,” Dr Tushar Aggarwal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS, said.

“We have put him through some tests to see how much structural and functional damage has taken place in his eye,” he said.

Baljit suffered a grave injury in his right eye on Friday in Pune while practising with golf ball that sneaked through the visor of his helmet. The injury not only ruled him out of the Indian team’s European tour but also jeopardises his career.

The 28-year-old Chandigarh lad was rushed to the capital where he underwent an emergency operation but doctors are still not sure whether will regain his full vision.

Even though Baljit is otherwise doing fine, Dr Aggarwal said the player would be kept under observation for some more days.

“We intend to keep him a couple of days more in the hospital. We will send him home once we are through with all the tests. He is otherwise okay and his family is by his side all the time,” he said.

Hockey India Secretary General Mohd Aslam Khan also visited the player today and said although Baljit is in good health, doctors are extra careful about his condition.

“He is quite cheerful and is in good spirits. Doctors are not allowing too many visitors and are careful about infection,” Aslam said.

“In normal circumstances, they would have discharged him but the doctors are not taking any chances,” he added.