Some of the patients at the hospital. (Mithun Roy)

Balurghat, April 10: At least 22 persons were victims of a condition known as photokeratitis, or ultraviolet irradiation of the eyes, after attending a folk song recital under metal halide lamps in Ayodhya.

Fifteen of those who suffered a burning sensation in the eyes and blurred vision have been admitted to the South Dinajpur district hospital here, 5km from Ayodhya.

Eye specialist Paritosh Biswas, who is attending to them, said: “In photokeratitis, the cornea of the eyes get burnt because of ultraviolet radiation. However, the condition is usually reversed by about a week.” He said anti-inflammatory medicines were being administered.

Sadhu Charan Pala, one of the organisers of the two-day folk song festival that begun last evening, said: “Around 3am today, when folk singer from Tapan, Subhadra Adhikary, started performing, there was a clamour for better on-stage lighting. Electricians strung up a metal halide lamp without a cover,” Sadhu Charan, one of those admitted to hospital, said.

He said soon his eyes started aching and his vision blurred. “There was a splitting headache…The first batch of seven were taken to the hospital around 4am,” he said. Hospital superintendent Buddhadeb Mondol said 22 persons had been brought to the hospital.