Military Doctors Restore Eyesight of 374 Patients at Mega Surgical Eye Camp in Gorakhpur
A highly specialised ophthalmic team from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force carried out the life-changing surgeries.
In a remarkable humanitarian initiative, military doctors restored the eyesight of 374 patients during the first Mega Advanced Surgical Eye Camp held in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The four-day camp was organised at 12 Air Force Hospital, Gorakhpur, and concluded on February 27, 2026.
A highly specialised ophthalmic team from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force carried out the life-changing surgeries. The closing ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. High-level inspections were also conducted by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, and Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General Medical Services (Air).
The camp emerged as a beacon of hope for patients across the region. Beneficiaries travelled not only from remote districts such as Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Deoria, and Maharajganj but also from neighbouring Nepal. Many patients had been struggling with vision problems for years due to limited access to advanced medical care.
One of the beneficiaries, 69-year-old Amarnath Gupta from Gorakhpur, expressed deep emotion after his successful surgery. For years, he had been unable to clearly see his grandchildren. Following the operation, he described the experience as receiving “a new lease of light.”
The medical team was led by Brigadier (Dr) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), and supported by Lt Col Ravi Chauhan and Maj Amrita Joshi. The team used advanced, world-class medical equipment, which was airlifted to Gorakhpur by the Indian Air Force to ensure smooth and efficient surgeries.
The Mega Eye Camp highlights the commitment of India’s Armed Forces not only to national security but also to humanitarian service. Through this initiative, hundreds of patients regained their vision and hope, marking a significant achievement in military-led medical outreach in the region.