With the launch of Karnataka’s first mobile FEMTO eye surgery unit powered by the Ziemer Z8 Neo, the Bengaluru-based institution blends cutting-edge technology with a decentralised delivery model—bringing world-class ophthalmic care closer to patients
Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a move that signals a decisive shift in how advanced eye care can be delivered at scale, Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital has launched Karnataka’s first mobile unit for bladeless eye surgery. At the heart of this initiative is the Ziemer Z8 Neo, a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system now mounted on a custom-engineered mobile platform—effectively putting premium ophthalmic technology on wheels.
The initiative addresses a long-standing challenge in Indian healthcare: how to balance access, affordability, and clinical excellence without forcing patients to travel to a single, centralised facility. By rotating the mobile FEMTO unit across multiple locations, Nethradhama is ensuring that high-precision, bladeless procedures are no longer confined to flagship centres alone.
Precision Without Centralisation
Often described by clinicians as the “Swiss Army knife” of ophthalmic lasers, the Ziemer Z8 Neo enables a wide range of bladeless procedures—from femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery to advanced vision correction techniques such as LASIK and CLEAR. The laser is also used in treating complex corneal conditions like keratoconus and damaged corneas, replacing surgical blades with ultra-precise laser pulses that enhance safety, accuracy, and patient comfort.
By housing this technology within a climate- and shock-controlled mobile unit, Nethradhama has eliminated the need for costly duplication of infrastructure at every branch. Instead, the system is rotated weekly across five centres—three in Bengaluru, one in Mysuru, and one outreach location—ensuring consistency of outcomes without escalating costs.
Clinical Outcomes That Match the Promise
The results from the pilot phase underline the model’s effectiveness. Over 900 procedures have already been successfully completed using the Z8 Neo, including more than 600 cataract surgeries and nearly 300 corneal and refractive procedures. According to clinicians, most patients report clear vision as early as Day 1, with full visual recovery typically achieved within a week.
“Patients today expect both precision and speed of recovery,” said Dr. Supriya Sriganesh, Executive Director, Nethradhama. “The Z8 Neo allows us to deliver exactly that—whether it’s a young professional seeking a quick, bladeless alternative to glasses, or a senior patient looking for a safer, more predictable cataract surgery.”
The platform’s compatibility with premium intraocular lenses and advanced planning software further enhances outcomes, enabling high-definition vision and reducing long-term dependence on spectacles.
Innovation as Institutional DNA
For Nethradhama, the mobile FEMTO unit is less a departure and more a continuation of its long-standing innovation-first philosophy.
“We were among the earliest adopters of femtosecond laser technology in India,” said Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, Chairman and Managing Director, Nethradhama. “From being the first in the country to install the Catalys platform for bladeless cataract surgery, to introducing the VisuMax 800 system with SMILE Pro, innovation has always been part of our DNA. With the Z8 Neo, we’ve taken that philosophy a step further—not just upgrading technology within our centres, but mobilising the technology itself.”
He added that the specially engineered van, designed with stringent climate and vibration controls, allows the laser to be safely transported and deployed without compromising performance—an approach that could serve as a blueprint for other high-end medical technologies.
A Scalable Model for Southern India
Beyond Karnataka, Nethradhama plans to expand the mobile FEMTO model to additional centres across southern India. The goal is clear: decentralise access to premium eye care while preserving clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and patient trust.
As healthcare systems increasingly grapple with rising costs and uneven access, Nethradhama’s mobile Z8 Neo initiative stands out as a rare example of technological sophistication paired with pragmatic delivery. It is not just a new machine on the road—but a reimagining of how advanced care can meet patients where they are.
About Nethradhama
Founded over three decades ago, Nethradhama Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is widely regarded as one of India’s foremost eye care institutions. A pioneer in adopting cutting-edge ophthalmic technologies, Nethradhama was among the first in the country to receive NABH accreditation and is certified under ISO 9001:2015, NABH ECO (Eye Care Organisation) standards.
With centres of excellence in Jayanagar and branches across Bengaluru (Rajajinagar, Indiranagar, Whitefield), Mysuru, Davanagere, and Mangaluru, the institution remains committed to its mission of delivering “Vision Care Par Excellence”—combining global technologies with highly skilled clinicians in a patient-centric framework.lueprint—one where precision medicine moves closer to the patient, rather than the other way around.
