The Asian Age: New Delhi

July 29: Reading newspapers is the last thing that India hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh should be doing. The 28-year though is keeping close tabs, asking for regular updates on his grave eye-injury.

It has been 10 days since the goalkeeper underwent emergency surgery at the AIIMS here after being struck by a golf ball on his right eye during training in Pune on July 17.

Uncertainty, it is apparent, has crept into the 28-year old’s mind, and he is now keen to have a second opinion on his injury.

Said Baljit, “I have been asked to wait for another month by the doctors here. But I believe a lot more can be done. I want to be fit as soon as possible, and am sure there must be some hospital in the world that can cure me.”

There has been different versions on the seriousness of his injury, but the goalkeeper is unsure of what lies ahead.

“There have been a lot of visitors in the last few days — family, friends, officials. The other day boxer Akhil Kumar called and asked me to keep faith. But then I also hear that all is over for me… I will never play again.

“Also, I think the doctors should be a bit positive. It doesn’t help telling a patient that he will never recover,” said Baljit, anguish visible on his face.

A panel of 10 doctors headed by cornea specialist Dr Sudershan Khokhar has been treating Baljit. On Thursday, the doctors removed the last dressing on his eye after several tests, but were still non-committal on the goalie’s progress. Hospital sources though revealed that Baljit’s chances of regaining full vision remained slim.

“This is a case of a very, very serious injury. When he was admitted here, his eye was able to perceive some amount of light, but the vision was almost nil. The doctors placed a hand in front of him and asked him to count the fingers. He couldn’t even do that.

“The cornea is a crucial part of the eye as it refracts the light and contains two-thirds of the eye’s total optical power. That has been damaged completely. Had the ball hit him somewhere else, his chances would have been much better,” he said, adding, “in normal circumstances, a patient would have been discharged by now. But he being a national player, utmost care is being taken.”

Hockey India secretary Mohd. Aslam Khan though said that they were willing to do their best. “We are open on all options. We are consulting top retina specialists in Bengaluru and Chennai. But the decision to shift him has to be purely professional. It will be the doctors’ and family’s call,” Khan said.