Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Published : December 11, 2014 6:50 PM IST
Like thousands of other people, 28-year old Heena Khan too was prescribed antibiotics while she was suffering from cold and cough. Unfortunately, she developed an adverse drug reaction (ADR) to the pills and had to rushed to Saifee Hospital at Charni Road. She lost her eye sight due to the reaction.
Heena, who lives in Kalyan, was prescribed penicillin-based antibiotics Mox 250, anti-spasmodic tablets Cyclopam and paracetemol Metacin by a local doctor. She soon developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) that led to loss of eyesight.
In a statement to DNA, Dr Quresh Maskati, opthalmologist at Saifee Hospital said 'During a routine eye-check up, we noticed that the cornea which is the protective covering of the eye, had melted and peeled off due to the reaction.' The doctors told Heena's husband that she had completely lost vision in her left eye. (Read: Is taking antibiotics too often bad for your health? (Disease Query))
Although the chances of regaining vision in Heena's case are bleak, doctors would be performing a surgery to prevent the infection from worsening. In the surgery, her peeled corneal layer would be replaced by baby's placenta that will prevent from the content from the left eye to ooze out, avoiding infections. The doctors mention that Heena could opt a cornea replacement surgery after a year, but there's no guarantee that her eyesight would be restored.
Here's the answer to the question 'when do you need antibiotics for cold and cough?'
Image source: Getty images
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