Modernising Military Healthcare: Femto-LASIK Suite at the Forefront

16 May Modernising Military Healthcare: Femto-LASIK Suite at the Forefront

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic Modernising Military Healthcare: Femto-LASIK Suite at the Forefront

SYLLABUS MAPPING:

GS-3- Science and technology- Modernising Military Healthcare: Femto-LASIK Suite at the Forefront

FOR PRELIMS

What is Femto-LASIK? and Its working mechanism, features, and applications

FOR MAINS

What are the challenges India faces in adopting advanced medical technologies like Femto-LASIK?

Why in the News? 

The Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, and the Director General of Medical Services (Army), Lt Gen Sadhna S Nair, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Femto-LASIK Suite at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Delhi Cantt. This advanced facility marks a major milestone in military healthcare, offering customised laser treatments for spectacle removal and addressing borderline refractive errors and corneal diseases. It highlights the Armed Forces’ commitment to cutting-edge medical technology and enhanced patient welfare. Army Hospital (R&R) is the apex centre of AFMS.

What is Femto-LASIK?

Femto-LASIK (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an advanced form of laser eye surgery used to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It uses a femtosecond laser to create a precise corneal flap, offering greater accuracy, safety, and faster recovery compared to traditional LASIK. This bladeless technique is especially beneficial for patients with thin corneas or complex prescriptions. The Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Delhi Cantt, recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art Femto-LASIK Suite, reflecting the Armed Forces Medical Services’ commitment to cutting-edge healthcare. The new facility will help military personnel eliminate dependence on spectacles, enhancing their operational efficiency and quality of life.

Mechanism of Femto LASIK: Working, Features and Applications

Technological and Clinical Benefits

1. Bladeless Precision: Uses a femtosecond laser instead of a mechanical blade to create the corneal flap. This increases surgical accuracy and significantly reduces complication risks.
2. Customised Treatment: Based on individual corneal topography and vision profile. Enables personalised correction, improving surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
3. Faster Recovery: Minimal tissue disruption promotes quicker healing and less post-op discomfort. Patients can resume normal activities within a shorter time frame.
4. High Safety Profile: Reduces chances of flap-related complications, infections, and post-surgical issues. It’s considered safer than conventional LASIK, especially in complex cases.
5. Suitable for Thin Corneas: Offers vision correction even to patients ineligible for traditional LASIK due to corneal thickness. Expands eligibility to a wider group of patients, including defence personnel.
6. Minimally Invasive: The laser performs the entire flap creation without cutting tools. This leads to a less painful and more comfortable surgical experience.
7. Long-Term Visual Stability: Delivers stable vision correction with minimal regression over time. Enhances quality of life without the need for repeat procedures in most cases.
8. Enhanced Operational Readiness: Especially useful for armed forces where wearing glasses or contacts is impractical. Improves combat readiness and field performance by ensuring clear unaided vision.

Significance of the Femto-LASIK Initiative

1. Enhanced Vision for Operational Efficiency: Improves visual acuity of military personnel, reducing dependence on spectacles in combat and field operations.
2. Cutting-Edge Medical Advancement: Demonstrates adoption of state-of-the-art technology in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), reflecting global standards.
3. Boosts Readiness and Safety: Ensures soldiers are visually prepared for high-risk environments, enhancing overall mission readiness and personal safety.
4. Support for Borderline Cases: Provides advanced treatment for personnel with thin or irregular corneas who were previously ineligible for LASIK.
5. Improved Quality of Life: Offers long-term vision correction, positively impacting daily functioning and psychological well-being of defence staff.
6. Symbol of Healthcare Modernisation: Highlights the military’s commitment to modern, patient-centric care in line with national healthcare innovation.
7. Benchmark for Military Hospitals: Position Army Hospital (R&R) as a leading centre for advanced eye care within the AFMS network.
8. Potential for Wider Implementation: Sets a precedent for integrating Femto-LASIK across other military and government medical institutions in the future.

Cutting-edge technology adoption challenges in India 

1. High Cost and Affordability: Advanced technologies often require huge investments, making them unaffordable for many healthcare institutions, especially in rural areas.
2. Infrastructure Limitations: Many regions lack the necessary infrastructure, such as reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and modern facilities to support cutting-edge tech.
3. Skilled Manpower Shortage: There is a scarcity of trained professionals and technicians who can operate and maintain sophisticated medical equipment.
4. Regulatory and Approval Delays: Complex regulatory frameworks and slow approval processes can delay the introduction and scaling of new technologies.
5. Unequal Access and Urban-Rural Divide: High-tech facilities are often concentrated in urban centres, limiting access for rural and remote populations.
6. Resistance to Change and Awareness Gaps: Lack of awareness among stakeholders and reluctance to adopt new methods impede technology uptake.
7. Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Concerns: Increasing digitalisation raises issues about data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
8. Sustainability and Maintenance Issues: Maintaining advanced equipment requires continuous funding and support, which is often lacking in public healthcare.

Way forward 

1. Increased Investment and Funding: Boost public and private sector investments to make advanced technologies affordable and widely available.
2. Strengthening Infrastructure: Develop robust physical and digital infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas, to support technology deployment.
3. Skill Development and Training: Implement comprehensive training programs to build a skilled workforce capable of operating and maintaining advanced technologies.
4. Streamlining Regulatory Processes: Simplify and expedite regulatory approvals to facilitate faster introduction and scaling of new technologies.
5. Promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourage collaborations between government, industry, and academia for innovation, research, and better resource utilisation.
6. Enhancing Awareness and Change Management: Conduct awareness campaigns and training to overcome resistance and educate stakeholders about technology benefits.
7. Focus on Data Security and Privacy: Establish strong data protection laws and cybersecurity frameworks to build trust in digital technologies.
8. Ensuring Sustainable Maintenance: Plan for long-term maintenance, upgrades, and support systems to ensure technology remains effective and reliable.

Conclusion 

The inauguration of the state-of-the-art Femto-LASIK Suite at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, marks a significant advancement in military healthcare, demonstrating the Armed Forces Medical Services’ commitment to adopting cutting-edge medical technology. Femto-LASIK offers safer, more precise, and faster vision correction, enhancing operational readiness and quality of life for defence personnel, especially those with complex eye conditions. While India faces challenges in adopting such advanced technologies nationwide, ranging from cost and infrastructure gaps to skill shortages, targeted investments, capacity building, and streamlined policies can pave the way for wider implementation. This initiative not only sets a benchmark for healthcare modernisation in the armed forces but also serves as a model for expanding access to advanced medical care across the country, contributing to improved health outcomes and operational efficiency.

Download Plutus IAS Current Affairs (Eng) 16th May 2025

Prelims Questions

Q. With reference to Femto-LASIK technology, consider the following statements:
1. Femto-LASIK uses a mechanical blade to create the corneal flap.
2. It is a bladeless laser procedure that offers greater precision than conventional LASIK.
3. Femto-LASIK is especially suitable for patients with thin or irregular corneas.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: A

Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the significance of the recent inauguration of the Femto-LASIK Suite at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt. What are the benefits and challenges of adopting such advanced medical technologies in India?

                                                                                                                                                           (250 words, 15 marks)