In a significant development in military healthcare, the Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, has become the first government hospital in India and the second in South Asia to perform robotic custom laser cataract surgery using the advanced ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System last week.
The procedure marked the first-ever femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) by the hospital’s Ophthalmology Department. The technique is robotic, bladeless, and computer-guided, allowing for high precision in cataract operations. The surgery was performed by Brigadier SK Mishra on a 61-year-old patient. Unlike traditional methods, FLACS uses a femtosecond laser to perform critical steps such as corneal incisions, capsulotomy (lens opening), and cataract fragmentation with micron-level accuracy.
Doctors at the hospital said that the technology improves safety, accuracy, and visual outcomes, marking a major advancement in eye care, especially for the Armed Forces. The introduction of the ALLY system underlines the Armed Forces' focus on advanced medical care for service members and their families. Officials noted that robotic-assisted eye surgery is especially valuable in military settings, where precision and reliability are essential.
This initiative was undertaken under the guidance of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, said a statement.
