Karachi: A young female doctor who survived an acid attack inside a government hospital in Quetta sustained an injury to one of her eyes and may require a corneal transplant in the future if scarring affects her vision, doctors at Aria Hospital Quetta said, while emphasizing that both of her eyes were ultimately saved due to immediate medical intervention.
Speaking to Vitals News, doctors at Aria Hospital said Dr Mahnoor Nasir was rushed to their facility from Civil Hospital shortly after the attack, where a multidisciplinary team comprising plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists and emergency physicians immediately began treatment.
They said around 13 to 15 percent of Dr Mahnoor’s body surface area had suffered burn injuries in the acid attack, while one eye was also affected. The other eye, however, remained completely unharmed.
According to the doctors, the first 30 minutes after an acid attack are critically important as rapid irrigation and removal of the chemical agent can significantly reduce the extent of tissue damage and improve outcomes.
They said the hospital’s emergency team promptly carried out all necessary measures to neutralize and wash away the acid, helping stabilize the patient and preventing further complications.
The treating physicians revealed that the affected eye sustained partial damage to the cornea, resulting in what could be described as a corneal ulcer or corneal wound. They noted that once healing is complete, there remains a possibility of mild corneal opacity or scarring.
“In some cases, patients with significant corneal scarring may eventually require corneal transplantation to restore vision,” a doctor said, adding that if noticeable opacity develops in the future, Dr Mahnoor may need a corneal transplant. “At present, however, both eyes have been preserved and her condition is encouraging.”
The doctors maintained that Aria Hospital possessed the necessary plastic surgery, ophthalmology and emergency care facilities required to manage such injuries and that Dr Mahnoor’s treatment could have continued in Quetta as well.
They said the decision to transfer her to Karachi’s Aga Khan University Hospital was made at the request of her family, who sought further treatment there.
According to the doctors, all life-saving and essential interventions required to prevent further damage had already been completed at Aria Hospital before her transfer.
They added that physicians at Aga Khan University Hospital had also acknowledged the importance of the initial treatment and noted that the timely medical response played a key role in preventing more serious complications.
Dr Mahnoor remained under treatment at Aria Hospital for nearly three hours, during which teams from plastic surgery, ophthalmology and emergency medicine closely monitored and managed her condition.
The doctors stressed that Balochistan has capable specialists and quality healthcare facilities and said that while challenges faced by the province are frequently highlighted, positive examples from the health sector also deserve recognition.