Baljit's eye critical
Published : Jul 25, 2009 00:00 IST
A day after Baljit Singh (in pic) underwent surgery on his damaged right eye doctors said the Indian goalkeeper’s condition remains critical even though Hockey India vowed to explore every possibility, including treatment abroad, to help him regain full vision.
The three-hour operation at the AIIMS on July 18 went off well, but Dr. Tushar Aggarwal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Opthalmology, said the condition of Baljit’s eye was still serious. “His eye is still in a critical condition. We have managed to repair it but right now we cannot comment on whether he will get his full vision back,” he told PTI.
“Now we will have to just wait and watch. We will decide his future course of treatment depending on his recovery from the surgery,” Aggarwal added.
Meanwhile the secretary general of Hockey India, Mohd. Aslam Khan, said they are constantly monitoring Baljit’s condition and if needed, they are open to the idea of sending the goalkeeper abroad for further treatment.
Baljit was hit on his eye in Pune while practising with a golf ball that sneaked through the visor of his helmet and damaged his eye. The injury has ruled him out of the Indian team for the tour of Europe, starting on July 24. The 28-year-old goalkeeper has been replaced by P. R. Sreejesh.
During its four-week tour of Europe, India is scheduled to play 12 Test matches against England, Belgium, Spain and Holland.