Dharamsala, Dec 22 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a probe after five patients who underwent cataract surgery at a hospital developed infection, Health Minister Kaul Singh said on Thursday.

He said two of the patients had been referred to the PGI in Chandigarh. "They (five) can be treated or their vision can be lost."

In a statement, Kaul Singh informed the assembly that the patients, in the age group of 65 to 73 years, underwent cataract surgery at the Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda on December 14.

He said surgical dye trypan might be responsible for the post-surgery infection.

A three-member inquiry committee has been constituted, he said.

The minister said prosecution would be launched against the company if the samples of the dye used in the surgery were found to be compromised.

"If there is negligence on the part of doctors, action would be initiated against them too," Kaul Singh added.