New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS) — The Army Hospital Research and Referral (AHRR) has become the first government institute in India and the second in South Asia to perform Robotic Custom Laser Cataract Surgery using the advanced ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System, officials said on Friday.
Describing it as a breakthrough for military healthcare, the Defence Ministry said the achievement marks the Ophthalmology Department’s entry into robotic, bladeless, and computer-guided eye surgery with its first-ever Femto-second Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS). The procedure was conducted by Brigadier S.K. Mishra on a 61-year-old patient.
Unlike conventional cataract surgery, FLACS uses a femtosecond laser to automate critical steps such as corneal incisions, capsulotomy, and cataract fragmentation with micron-level precision, ensuring greater safety and optimal outcomes.
The Ministry said the introduction of this technology highlights the Armed Forces’ commitment to providing state-of-the-art healthcare for personnel and their families.
Earlier this week, AHRR also achieved another first when its Ophthalmology Department performed a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery using a 3D microscope. The system, which uses polarisation glasses and a 55-inch 4K ultra-HD display, improves surgical visualisation while reducing time, complication rates, and risks such as photo-toxicity.
Under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AHRR continues to expand its expertise in advanced eye care and clinical innovation.
Earlier this year, the Armed Forces Medical Services also signed an MoU with NIMHANS to enhance mental health support for Defence personnel through joint research, specialised training, and programmes targeting PTSD, anxiety, and depression among service members and their families.
