Srinivas Joshi, Director, MM Joshi Eye Center Hospital, Kodkany, was speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Thursday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Doctors at MM Joshi Hospital Kodkany Super Specialty Eye Center have started robotic surgeries to treat various conditions and diseases.
“This is the first time that such a variety of robotic surgeries are being performed on such a scale. A team led by eye surgeon Shilpa Kodkany is performing these procedures. Several successful procedures have already been performed and patients have recovered. These surgeries are bladeless and bloodless and cost-effective. The surgeries are precise and faster and the recovery rate is higher,” JoMM, director of JoMMKA Eye Center, said on Thursday.
“Various types of procedures have been performed, including robotic cataract surgery with the Femto Second Laser, CLEAR (Corneal Lens Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction) surgery to help patients stop wearing glasses, and corneal disease treatment,” he said.
Dr. Joshi said they are more accurate, safer and more effective than traditional surgeries.
“The Belagavi unit uses a Z8 Zymer machine that uses lasers to control and stitch. There is minimal human intervention. It can be mounted on a vehicle and taken to hospitals in different cities. Earlier it was only available in the metro. We have introduced it to Belagavi. It will tour small towns with trained doctors. It will offer services at discounted rates,” said Dr. Josh.
He said the two hospitals had signed an agreement with a motto to encourage people to remove their glasses through laser surgery. “It can be used by people of all ages, although it is most suitable for those under 45 and over 55,” he said.
Dr. Kodkany, the center’s director, said the new devices were AI-enabled and the error rate was almost zero. When asked, she said that there is a rising trend of eye diseases and problems among young children due to excessive use of mobile phones. “The hospital has offered various therapies including counselling, to such children,” she said.
Other directors including Rajendra Belgaumkar were also present.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 9:00 PM IST