In a MediaBrief exclusive, Dr. Ajay Sharma, Chief Medical Director of Eye-Q Super-Speciality Hospitals, speaks about the founding vision behind Eye-Q, its growth over the years, and how the organization has remained focused on providing accessible, affordable eye care. He also shares insights into the role of emerging technologies in ophthalmology, Eye-Q’s efforts to reach underserved regions, and its plans for the future.
For over 18 years, Eye-Q Super-Speciality Hospitals has been at the forefront of transforming eye care in India, steadily growing from a handful of centers to a robust network spanning over 30 locations across the country, including an international expansion into Nigeria. Reflecting on the journey since its inception, Dr. Sharma shares, “In 2007, the core idea behind starting Eye-Q was to make high-quality eye care accessible to people living in smaller towns who were often neglected by mainstream healthcare systems.”
He adds, “I had seen how patients from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities struggled either with a lack of facilities or inconsistent standards of treatment, and I wanted to change that by building a reliable and compassionate network of eye hospitals.”
“Over the last 18 years,” he shares, “this vision has matured into a robust ecosystem that combines clinical excellence with affordability and trust. We have grown from a handful of hospitals to over 30 centers across India and expanded internationally to Nigeria while maintaining the same patient-first philosophy.”
“Since our establishment,” Dr. Sharma informs, “Eye-Q has conducted over 1 crore eye examinations and performed 6 lakh surgeries, reflecting both the scale and the impact of our work. Our protocols have become sharper, our technology more advanced, and our outreach deeper, but the essence remains rooted in our original purpose—to bring world-class eye care to the communities that need it most.”
Key milestones in Eye-Q’s rise to trust
Speaking about the key milestones and turning points that helped shape Eye-Q into one of the trusted names in eye care, Dr. Sharma says, “Eye-Q’s rise as a trusted name in eye care is a story of relentless dedication and transformative breakthroughs. From the very beginning, our focus was on delivering consistently excellent care that earned patient trust and built a strong reputation through word-of-mouth.”
“We offer an extensive array of eye care services catering to a wide range of visual health needs, including General Eye Care, Cataract Surgery, Retina Treatment, LASIK Surgery, Glaucoma Treatment, the ICL Procedure, Squint Surgery, Optical Services, Oculoplasty, and Refractive Services, along with innovative Tele-Consultation options that bring expert care to remote locations.”
“A game-changer,” Dr. Sharma says, “was adopting advanced technologies like the FDA, NASA, and U.S.-approved Blade-Free I-LASIK, as well as SILK by Johnson & Johnson, allowing us to offer treatments once out of reach for many. Our expansion beyond Haryana into Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and even Nigeria reflects our vision of accessible quality eye care.”
“With over 1 crore eye exams and 6 lakh surgeries completed, our experience speaks volumes. Simplifying healthcare access with cashless Mediclaim services and supporting communities through subsidized surgeries, outreach camps, and welfare initiatives further exemplifies our commitment.”
“Collaborations with leading ophthalmologists, continuous staff training, and launching super-specialty centers for complex cases have cemented Eye-Q’s position as a trusted leader in eye care,” adds Dr. Sharma.
Targeting India’s underserved regions
Looking ahead, Eye-Q’s expansion strategy remains focused on making quality eye care accessible to regions where healthcare services are either insufficient or prohibitively expensive. “At Eye-Q, we are deeply committed to expanding our reach across India to make quality eye care accessible in regions that lack sufficient services. Choosing new locations involves careful analysis of factors like population size, existing healthcare gaps, and the burden of eye diseases.”
“Our goal,” Dr. Sharma reiterates, “is to serve communities where advanced eye care is limited or costly, ensuring affordability alongside cutting-edge technology and skilled expertise. In line with this vision, we have set ambitious targets to perform 80,000 surgeries and conduct 600,000 eye screenings by the end of 2025. Plans are also underway to open two new centers and enhance facilities at our current hospitals to better serve patients.”
Affordability and accessibility in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
Eye-Q has long been committed to making high-quality care both affordable and accessible, particularly in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Dr. Sharma explains how the hospital network achieves this: “At Eye-Q, we understand that affordability and accessibility are critical, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where healthcare infrastructure may be limited. We focus on optimizing operational efficiencies and leveraging technology to keep costs manageable without compromising quality.”
“Our cashless Mediclaim services ease financial burdens for many patients, allowing them to access treatment without upfront worries. Extensive outreach through subsidized and free surgeries, along with eye care camps, helps us reach underserved communities directly. Collaborating with reputed institutions and continuously training our staff ensures that expert care is consistently available.”
“Additionally,” he adds, “launching super-specialty centers in these regions equips us to handle complex cases locally, reducing the need for patients to travel far. Tele-consultation options further expand our reach, making expert advice accessible even in remote areas. This multi-pronged approach helps us deliver advanced eye care that remains both affordable and accessible across all city tiers.”
Preventive care initiatives and corporate partnerships
“At Eye-Q, our approach to preventive care is holistic, extending not only to corporate partnerships but also deeply rooted in community outreach,” says Dr. Sharma, emphasizing the importance of preventive care in Eye-Q’s philosophy. “Initiatives like specialized eye care packages during periods of rising smog levels are a reflection of our broader vision to proactively safeguard vision health before problems escalate.”
He continues, “Our efforts go beyond urban centers and corporate circles. In villages, we collaborate closely with ASHA workers who play a vital role in promoting our mega eye camps. Through wall paintings, local announcements, and door-to-door awareness, they help mobilize communities and encourage timely eye screenings. These grassroots efforts are essential to our mission of making quality eye care accessible to every corner of India.”
“Whether it’s protecting our employees from the effects of pollution or reaching the underserved in rural areas, Eye-Q’s initiatives are united by a single goal: preventing avoidable blindness and ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need, when they need it,” he adds.
Embracing emerging technologies
The future of ophthalmology in India is being shaped by rapid advancements in medical technology, and Eye-Q is keen to integrate these innovations into its network. Elaborating on this, Dr. Sharma says, “Advanced innovations in eye care in India include femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, SILK, and bladeless Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedures.”
Eye-Q, he also informs, is actively integrating these advanced technologies throughout its network to deliver precise, minimally invasive treatments and enable early detection of complex retinal diseases.
“Ongoing investment in advanced infrastructure and specialized staff training ensures seamless adoption of these innovations, reinforcing Eye-Q’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, patient-focused eye care across all its centers.”
Addressing systemic gaps in eye care delivery
Despite India’s rapid economic growth, access to specialized eye care remains limited in many rural and semi-urban areas. Dr. Sharma highlights several systemic gaps: “Limited access to specialized eye care in rural and semi-urban areas, shortage of skilled professionals, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure are key systemic gaps we recognize in India’s eye care delivery.”
“At Eye-Q,” he adds, “we are committed to bridging these gaps by expanding our presence into underserved regions. Continuous training of our staff ensures we maintain the highest standards of care throughout our network.”
“We also provide cashless Mediclaim services to ease financial burdens and run numerous free eye camps, door-to-door check-ups, and health awareness campaigns focused on awareness and early diagnosis. This holistic approach enables us to deliver affordable, quality eye care to diverse populations, making a meaningful difference where it is needed most.”
The role of partnerships in growth
“Partnerships are the backbone of our growth and service delivery, helping us extend quality eye care far beyond our own walls,” Dr. Sharma says. “Working closely with government bodies opens doors to underserved communities and allows us to contribute meaningfully to large-scale public health initiatives.”
“Our collaborations with corporates, the Haryana Government, and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana create opportunities to bring customized eye care programs directly to employees, fostering healthier work environments.”
He continues, “Partnering with insurers to offer cashless Mediclaim services removes financial hurdles for patients, making treatments more accessible and stress-free. These collaborations not only amplify our reach but also fuel innovation and resource-sharing, ensuring that Eye-Q continues to deliver affordable, world-class eye care across India’s diverse landscape.”
Leadership and vision for the future
For Dr. Sharma, building Eye-Q has been a journey full of lessons, one of the most important being that putting patients first is non-negotiable. “Success goes beyond cutting-edge technology; it’s about earning trust through empathy, transparency, and consistent care. Creating a passionate team that embraces ongoing learning and innovation has been key to navigating the complex healthcare landscape.”
He adds, “Challenges such as regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps taught me resilience and the power of collaboration. Balancing growth with affordability is an art we constantly refine. At the heart of it all, leading in healthcare means staying deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day.”
What’s next for Eye-Q?
Speaking about what’s next for Eye-Q, Dr. Sharma says, “Our vision for Eye-Q over the next 5 to 10 years is to make quality eye care accessible to every community across India.”
He adds, “As a country with the largest population of blind individuals, half of whom could retain their eyesight through timely surgeries or by simply dispensing glasses, we believe it is our moral duty to prevent avoidable blindness and poor vision. Leveraging advanced innovations such as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, SILK, and bladeless Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedures, we are committed to bringing world-class eye care within everyone’s reach.”
He wraps up by saying, “We plan to open more specialized centers equipped with the latest technology to handle complex cases while maintaining affordable services for all. Strengthening our network through continuous staff training and partnerships will ensure consistently high standards of care. Alongside expanding infrastructure, we will deepen our community outreach with preventive programs and awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of avoidable blindness.”
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