KATHMANDU, April 28: Doctors at Tilganga Eye Hospital have reported an improvement in the vision of injured journalist Sabina Karki.
Karki had sustained serious eye injuries on Sunday after being hit by a police water cannon during a teacher's protest. However, on Monday, there was a noticeable improvement in her condition.
Initially, Karki was only able to see at a distance of about half a meter, but by Monday, her vision had improved to around one meter. Dr Nim Lhamu Sherpa, one of the doctors involved in her treatment, said, “She could not see further than one meter away.”
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Karki was initially treated at Civil Hospital and the National Trauma Center before being transferred to the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. Her right eye sustained significant damage due to the injury.
Dr Sewant Shrestha from Tilganga Hospital said that Sabina Karki was able to see a bit farther on Monday due to the reduction of blood in her eye caused by the injury. He said, “It seems that the blood in the eye has decreased, allowing her to see up to one meter.”
As a result of the injury, Karki's right eyelid was torn, and there was bleeding behind the retina. On Sunday, the eye was cleaned, the torn eyelid was stitched, and the retina was also cleaned.
The doctors also mentioned that medication to dilate the eye for vision examination and to lower blood pressure was administered to Sabina Karki.
On Monday, Sabina Karki underwent further treatment, including a CT scan of her eye to assess the condition of the torn retina and the injury to the optic nerve. However, Dr Nim Lhamu Sherpa said that due to the blood filling the retina and the posterior part of the eye, it was difficult to determine the extent of the internal damage.
She further said that as the blood in the eye decreases, a follow-up CT scan would be necessary to reassess the condition. In some cases, treatment would need to be guided by the symptoms as they evolve over time. Dr Lama stated that it is not possible to determine at this point whether Sabina Karki's vision will fully recover. She mentioned, “We will reassess after a week. If the symptoms do not improve, surgery will be required on the retina and optic nerve to address the issue.”
She also explained that if there is a serious injury affecting the optic nerve, it would be difficult for vision to improve. “Severe damage to the retina and optic nerve makes recovery difficult.”.
