Delhi acid attack: Victim reports partial visibility in right eye

New Delhi: The 30-year-old woman doctor who had sustained burn injuries on the right side of her face following an acid attack on her, has shown slight improvement, doctors treating her said on Wednesday.

The victim, who is herself a senior resident doctor at Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospital, is undergoing treatment at Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences in AIIMS.

"There has been a slight improvement in the condition of her eye. However, in such cases, it takes time to find out whether her vision has got affected or not.

"Today the patient reported partial visibility with her right eye. Her left eye is fine and she is able to see with that perfectly. Her condition is being closely monitored," said Dr Tushar Agarwal, Additional Professor of Ophthalmology and Cornea expert at AIIMS.

According to AIIMS Spokesperson, Dr Amit Gupta, the patient was brought to the hospital at around 11.30 AM yesterday. "The patient gave alleged history of vitriolage with a liquid at around 9 AM and had chemical injury in the right eye and right side of her face.

The eye injury is classified as Grade IV injury, which denotes the highest degree of severity. Appropriate first aid measures were given on the spot," said Dr Gupta.

Her facial skin injuries are being treated by Dr Maneesh Singhal, Plastic Surgeon from Department of Surgery, AIIMS. The patient was attacked at a crowded market place in West Delhi's Rajouri Garden when she was on her way on a scooty to ESI hospital where she worked.

"She had stopped on the spot to answer a phone call. Two assailants reached the spot on a bike and tried to snatch her bag. When she resisted, the pillion rider threw an acid-like chemical on her and fled with her bag. The victim sustained burns in the incident and was rushed to the same hospital where she worked.

From there, she has been referred to AIIMS," a senior police official had said. The incident was caught on two CCTV cameras installed in the street, footages of which were scanned by the police to identify the accused.