Sixteen patients are taking legal action against a hospital in Beijing, claiming it used substandard medical gas that injured their eyes.

The trial against Peking University Third Hospital began at the Haidian District People's Court in northwestern Beijing on Friday.

The hospital claimed that there was no malpractice and the injuries were caused by substandard gas. The hospital said in court that it is willing to cover all medical expenses despite the fact that it was not at fault.