Indian Army's Op Netra 1.0: 214 eye procedures at high-altitude Leh camp
Synopsis
Deep in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, the Indian Army's Op Netra 1.0 did what civilian healthcare infrastructure has long struggled to — bring complex eye surgery to 950 patients across 10 remote regions, restore sight to 15 completely blind individuals, and debut a homegrown digital patient management app, all in just four days.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Army conducted 214 eye procedures during Op Netra 1.0 at 153 General Hospital, Leh from 27–30 April 2025 .
950 patients from seven districts of Ladakh were screened, including remote areas like Chushul, Hanle, Demchok , and Zanskar .
197 cataract surgeries and 10 vitreo-retinal interventions were performed; 15 completely blind patients had their vision restored.
The indigenously developed 'Op Netra' app was launched to digitise patient records and automate surgical scheduling via QR codes.
The initiative is part of a nationwide drive that has delivered over 2,500 sight-restoring surgeries since November 2025 .
The camp was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra under the oversight of Vice Admiral Arti Sarin , DGAFMS.
The Indian Army successfully conducted 214 specialised eye procedures during a four-day Advanced Surgical Eye Camp, codenamed 'Op Netra 1.0', at 153 General Hospital in Leh, Ladakh, from 27 to 30 April 2025. The initiative screened 950 patients from across seven districts of Ladakh, including some of the most remote and high-altitude communities in the country.
Scale of Procedures and Surgical Achievements
The surgical team, led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 197 complex cataract surgeries and 10 vitreo-retinal interventions over the course of the camp. Advanced procedures carried out included Glued Intraocular Lens implantation, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), vitrectomy, pterygium excision, and intraocular lens repositioning. Notably, 15 completely visually impaired patients had their vision restored during the camp.
Patients Reached From Remote Ladakh Regions
According to an official statement, patients were screened from far-flung areas including Chushul, Hanle, Durbuk, Demchok, Fukche, Drass, Zanskar, Batalik, Chumathang, and Turtuk — regions that typically lack access to tertiary eye care. The camp was inaugurated by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 14 Corps, Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, and concluded with a closing ceremony attended by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
Launch of Indigenously Developed 'Op Netra' App
A significant highlight of the operation was the launch of the indigenously developed 'Op Netra' app by 153 General Hospital. The app enables end-to-end digitisation of patient records, enhances diagnostic accuracy, and automates surgical scheduling through QR code-based identification. The tool is designed to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency in high-volume, high-altitude medical settings — a first of its kind for Army field camps.
Part of a Nationwide Sight-Restoration Drive
Op Netra 1.0 is part of a broader national initiative that has delivered more than 2,500 sight-restoring surgeries since November 2025, following similar camps held in Udhampur, Dehradun, Jaipur, Bagdogra, and Gorakhpur. The Indian Air Force supported the mission by airlifting advanced medical equipment to Leh, ensuring that the standard of care met the highest benchmarks despite the logistical challenges of the terrain.
Leadership and Strategic Significance
The camp was conducted under the overall leadership of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Vice Admiral Arti Sarin. Officials described the initiative as a testament to civil-military cooperation and the Union government's commitment to ensuring that no citizen, regardless of geography, is deprived of essential healthcare. With Op Netra 1.0 now concluded, the Army is expected to extend the programme to additional underserved regions in the coming months.
Point of View
Many from areas like Demchok and Hanle that sit on India's most sensitive frontiers, underscores how medical access has lagged even as strategic attention to the region has surged post-2020. The launch of the Op Netra app is a genuine innovation worth tracking — if scaled, it could transform how the Armed Forces Medical Services manages field camps nationwide. The bigger question is whether these episodic camps will catalyse permanent civilian infrastructure, or remain well-intentioned but temporary relief.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Op Netra 1.0 conducted by the Indian Army?
Op Netra 1.0 is a four-day Advanced Surgical Eye Camp held by the Indian Army at 153 General Hospital in Leh, Ladakh, from 27 to 30 April 2025. It screened 950 patients and conducted 214 specialised eye procedures, including 197 cataract surgeries and vision restoration for 15 completely blind patients.
How many patients were screened at the Leh eye camp?
A total of 950 patients were screened across seven districts of Ladakh, including remote border areas such as Chushul, Hanle, Demchok, Zanskar, and Turtuk, according to the official statement.
What is the 'Op Netra' app launched during the camp?
The Op Netra app is an indigenously developed digital tool launched by 153 General Hospital to streamline patient management. It enables end-to-end digitisation of records, enhances diagnostic accuracy, and automates surgical scheduling through QR code-based identification.
Who led the surgical team at Op Netra 1.0?
The surgical team was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra. The overall initiative was conducted under the leadership of Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).
How many sight-restoring surgeries has the Army's nationwide eye camp programme delivered?
According to the official statement, the programme has delivered more than 2,500 sight-restoring surgeries since November 2025, following similar camps in Udhampur, Dehradun, Jaipur, Bagdogra, and Gorakhpur.
