New Delhi: In a major humanitarian and medical outreach at high altitude, the Indian Army successfully conducted a four-day advanced surgical eye camp, ‘Op Netra 1.0’, at 153 General Hospital in Leh from April 27 to 30.
The camp was inaugurated by Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla and brought together a large-scale civil-military effort to deliver specialised eye care across Ladakh’s remote regions.
A total of 950 patients from seven districts—including far-flung areas such as Chushul, Hanle, Durbuk, Demchok, Fukche, Drass, Zanskar, Batalik, Chumathang and Turtuk—were screened during the camp. The surgical team, led by Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, carried out 214 procedures. These included 197 complex cataract surgeries and 10 vitreo-retinal interventions, along with advanced procedures such as glued intraocular lens implantation, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, vitrectomy and pterygium excision.
Officials said the initiative restored vision to 15 patients who were completely visually impaired, marking a significant achievement in high-altitude healthcare delivery.
A key highlight of the programme was the launch of the indigenously developed Op Netra App by the 153 General Hospital, designed to digitise patient records, improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline surgical scheduling using QR-based identification systems.
The mission forms part of a wider nationwide effort that has delivered over 2,500 sight-restoring surgeries since November 2025, with similar camps held in Udhampur, Dehradun, Jaipur, Bagdogra and Gorakhpur. The operation was supported by the Indian Air Force, which airlifted advanced medical equipment to ensure high standards of care in the challenging terrain.
The camp concluded with a ceremony attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena. The initiative, led under the guidance of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, underscores the government’s focus on ensuring access to quality healthcare even in the most remote regions.
