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At least ten patients have been left permanently blind following botched cataract surgeries at an illegal medical camp in Punjab state, India, health officials say, according to CNN.

The operations were carried out at a free, unofficial "eye camp" at Guru Nanak Charitable Hospital, Ghuman, organized by a non-government organization, Amritsar's deputy commissioner Ravi Bhagat told CNN.

Sixty-two people, mostly of them aged over 60, had undergone cataract surgery at the camp, held on November 4-5, Anil Joshi, Punjab's Minister for Local Bodies, Medical Education and Research told CNN.

Seventeen later complained of severe pain in their eyes, he said, and had subsequently been treated at an eye clinic at Amritsar's Government Medical College.

Dr Karamjit Singh, an ENT specialist at Government Medical College who is now working to help the affected patients, said that of the 17 who approached his hospital with complaints on December 3, 10 were now permanently blind.

Three patients were receiving treatment -- one of whom regained their sight -- while four had left the hospital for personal reasons, despite their eyes being in very poor condition.

Singh said the infections could have been caused unsterilized instruments or eyedrops, and it would be very hard to restore sight to those affected.

Officials have launched an inquiry into the camp, and were trying to trace everyone who was operated on so they could be assessed by Singh, said Joshi.