The teacher who was poked in the eye with a crayon by a five-year-old student risks losing sight in the injured eye after her condition deteriorated.

The teacher, in her late 20s, could not be contacted yesterday but the president of the Malta Union of Teachers, John Bencini said that her eyesight had drastically deteriorated since the incident took place last October.

"Specialists have told her that the damage to her eye is irreversible and that she is in great danger of losing sight in the eye," said Mr Bencini.

The incident happened on October 27 when the infant hit his teacher in the eye with a crayon.

The union brought the incident to light and issued a public statement saying that a boy had "attacked" his teacher with a crayon and even called for the boy's suspension. However, the Education Department had reacted strongly, saying that by "no stretch of the imagination" could the incident be considered anything but an accident.

The boy is now back in school, helped by a learning support assistant. Mr Bencini said the young teacher is still in great pain and was traumatised by the incident. Yet, she has returned back to work and the boy in question is once again in her class.

The teacher has approached the union enquiring whether she has any legal basis to file for compensation.

"She has already forked out a lot of money for medical expenses and will be in for more if she needs to consult a foreign specialist," said Mr Bencini. After the authorities were alerted to incident, the Education Division ordered an evaluation process for the boy to assess his needs.

The principal of St Theresa College, Francis Fabri confirmed that the boy was attending school regularly and is still in the same class with the teacher.

Mr Fabri refused to comment saying he did not want to compromise the "delicate situation". "I think it's better not to say anything at this delicate time," he said.