Surgeon Dr Shikha Gupta Is Redefining Eye Care with a Hospital-at-Home Model
In India, getting quality eye care can be an ordeal in itself. The elderly and those with limited mobility are often put off from seeking timely attention by the prospect of long commutes, crowded wards and hours of waiting at the hospital. Dr Gupta witnessed this all too often during her 17 years as an eye surgeon at AIIMS. She found that patients were not losing their sight for want of treatment, but because the journey to the hospital was simply too arduous.
A Complete Eye OPD, Delivered at Home
Dr Gupta set up EyeSetu to put an end to that. The premise is straightforward: we will bring the hospital to the patient.
What EyeSetu provides is essentially a full eye OPD in the comfort of one’s home. A pair of optometrists arrive with three suitcases of advanced gear – an OCT machine, a retina scanner, a device for glaucoma testing and the like. A specialist ophthalmologist is on hand via live teleconsultation to go over the results as they come in, and digital reports are in the patient’s hands by day’s end so there is no delay in making a diagnosis.
Should surgery be necessary, EyeSetu takes care of the logistics. From pre-op tests to arranging the procedure at a partner hospital and any follow-up, the process is managed for the family. The only trip to the hospital is for the operation.
Home-Based Laser Treatment for High-Risk Patients
There is also provision for laser treatment at home, which is of great value to high-risk patients. For someone with a fracture, dementia or a chronic illness, or an elderly person for whom frequent trips are taxing, this means they can be treated without the physical strain. It is a way of ensuring conditions do not go unattended.
Addressing India’s Growing Glaucoma Challenge
The numbers tell the story of the demand for such a service. Since its start in January 2026, EyeSetu has put nearly 1,500 patients through its system and overseen over 100 surgeries with its partners.
One of the platform’s key focuses is glaucoma, a public health issue in India affecting some 11.2 million people. Most are none the wiser until the damage is done and vision loss is irreversible. By going door-to-door in residential areas for screening, EyeSetu can spot at-risk individuals early.
Why EyeSetu’s Model Matters
In a country where specialist care is still largely an urban affair, this model is scalable. It is not about new technology per se, but in how it is delivered. By doing away with the hassles of travel and waiting rooms, EyeSetu is encouraging better compliance with follow-ups and earlier intervention for sight-threatening diseases. It is a patient-first approach that has the makings of a significant shift in how chronic eye disease is handled across the country.
