Surgeon 'failed to get consent for lens trial'

The eye surgeon who is facing charges at a General Medical Council disciplinary hearing has admitted that he carried out medical trials without getting patient consent.

Dr Deepak Chitkara, whose case was featured in last week's Optician and has worked with Boots and Bausch & Lomb, is accused of serious misconduct by the GMC's fitness to practise committee.

This week the Press Association reported that the hearing was told the north west-based ophthalmologist implanted 'untried and untested' lenses into patients' eyes, then later signed a contract with their manufacturer.

The panel was reported to have been shown a contract between Dr Chitkara and Lenstech in which the surgeon was paid $4,330 a month as a consultant director for help in developing the Kellan lens. He also received commission on sales.

It is alleged that he put the Kellan lens in one eye and a CrystaLens, a product made by a rival firm which had been 'tried and tested', into the other eye of patients, to conduct a trial, without telling them.

In exchanges with Daffyd Enoch for the GMC, Chitkara denied his use of the Kellan lens was for financial gain.

The hearing was also told that Chitkara presented the trial results to an international conference of surgeons in San Diego. It is alleged he presented 'misleading' data aimed at persuading the international community of eye specialists that the Kellan Lens was superior to the CrystaLens.

Before the conference a representative from the makers of the CrystaLens rang Chitkara asking for the data and for him to withdraw his presentation. Asked why he refused, Chitkara replied, 'It would be detrimental to their firm. Because he knew I was a consultant to Lenstech and I would favour Lenstech.'

'Well, you said it,' Enoch replied.

Chitkara, who worked for Manchester's Rosen Eye Clinic, now runs Viewpoint Vision Services in Salford Quays. He denies misconduct.
The hearing continues.