Franciscus Versteeg, the Dutch ophthalmologist who operated on four people leaving them all partially-blind, is to stand trial in Portimão today (December 3) charged with offences to physical integrity through aggravated negligence.
The case dates back to July 2010 when Versteeg used to run a clinic in Lagoa named I-QMed.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the doctor failed to keep his clinic and surgical implements “properly disinfected”, which resulted in the growth of sight-impairing bacteria.
Reinaldo Bartolomeu, a psychologist who worked with Versteeg, is also charged with working at the clinic without permission and providing assistance during operations where he did not wear gloves.
Versteeg has always maintained that the problems suffered by his patients were “horrible accidents” that “can sometimes happen”.
Three of the patients were treated at the clinic for the removal of cataracts, while the other was operated to place intraocular lenses. All were admitted to Hospital dos Capuchos in Lisbon shortly after their operations with serious complications that later led to partial blindness.
The Resident will provide updates about the trial as they become available.
Photo: The clinic used to be located in the Lagoa business park
Dutch eye doctor faces trial in Portimão
