‘Black fungus’ robs some in India of eyesight

Saheb Rao Shinde’s family thought the worst was over when the 65-year-old recovered from Covid-19 last month at his home in western India.But a few weeks later, the revenue-stamp vendor lost sight in one eye. After a catastrophic second wave of Covid-19 in India since April which has seen its overall death toll climb to almost 400,000, thousands who contracted the virus also suffered from a rare fungal disease called mucormycosis, or “black fungus”.The country – which has more than 30.4mn confirmed Covid infections, second only to the US – has so far reported more than 40,845 cases of mucormycosis.Many like Shinde may never be able to regain their sight after the fungal disease which causes blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood.“Father was fit and healthy, now he doesn’t feel like eating...” said his daughter, who did not want to be named.”His teeth have also been removed, it’s very sad.”Shinde, from the arid western Indian region of Marathwada, will resume work after he recovers from this, his daughter said.Several other sufferers of mucormycosis across India had a similar tale. Adesh Kumar, a 39-year-old farmer in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, lost sight in his left eye. He had to borrow money to pay for medicine, secured against some of his land.India ordered tighter surveillance of mucormycosis in May as it compounded the challenge for Covid patients, especially those on steroid therapy and with diabetes.Experts say an overuse of certain drugs which suppress the immune system could be causing the surge of the fungal infection.“We are seeing a lot of mucormycosis cases post Covid infections, since Covid itself is known to decrease the immunity,” said Charuta Mandke of the ophthalmology department at Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai.