As India’s burden of avoidable blindness continues to rise, ensuring consistency, precision, and accessibility in eye care has become a national priority. In this exclusive interview with Deepshikha Sharma, CEO, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, shares with Dr. Asawari Savant of Elets News Network (ENN) how the group is redefining excellence in ophthalmology through innovation, integration, and inclusive care.

How is Sharp Sight realising clinical protocol standardisation across the different centres to realise consistent outcomes in cataract, retina, glaucoma and paediatrics? 

Standardisation is something we at Sharp Sight firmly believe in because we want to be able to provide consistent, high-quality care across our centres. We have established elaborate clinical protocols for cataract, retina, glaucoma, and paediatric care, which are aligned with international best practices and our own evidence-based outcomes. Each team member and surgeon is trained intensively on these protocols in order to follow uniformly the preoperative evaluation, the technique of surgery, and postoperative management. Continuous cross-centre case reviews and regular audits identify differences and enhance processes to make them better continuously. This systematic process enables us to deliver predictable outcomes while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety.

What thoughts or challenges do you face for complex retinal procedures when using robotics or advanced imaging tools while still maintaining procedural surgical precision and safety? 

Advanced retinal surgeries demand utmost accuracy, and at Sharp Sight, we are investigating robotics and high-tech imaging instruments to refine surgical precision. These technologies offer enlarged, real-time images of thin retinal tissues, allowing us to execute precise operations with less tissue damage. However, implementing these devices is not without problems. Surgeons require specific training to use robotic devices with ease while preserving haptic feedback and hand-eye coordination. Advanced imaging creates enormous amounts of data that have to be processed in real-time without impeding the process. Safety is always our priority, and hence we find a balance between technology and clinical acumen so the patient’s welfare is never at stake. By synergistically marrying robotic finesse with our surgical expertise, Sharp Sight continues to take retinal care to new frontiers without compromising excellent outcomes or procedural safety.

How are AI-driven diagnostics and predictive analytics providing assessment of risk and helping clinicians in preoperative decision-making?

At Sharp Sight, diagnostics based on AI have evolved as a valuable tool in preoperative planning. Complex algorithms can assess imaging data, previous patient history, and risk factors to identify possible complications or surgical issues. For example, in retina or cataract surgery, AI helps in identifying patients at risk of postoperative complications, allowing us to intervene. Predictive Analytics also helps in planning the treatment schemes for every patient, optimising accuracy and results. This technique helps our experts make a second line of decisions, eliminating individual bias errors and increasing confidence in surgical decisions. Although AI does not suppress human decisions, it enhances our expertise, with efficiency in many centres, every patient enables fast vision with safe and personal care.

How are some cloud-based data systems being used to benchmark surgical outcomes, quality assurance, and for clinical research in benchmarking data across hospitals?

Sharp Sight utilises cloud-based data systems to consolidate and analyse surgical outcomes at all our facilities. This allows us to assess outcomes for cataract, glaucoma, and retinal surgeries, so we can maintain quality and determine where improvement is needed. By storing data securely in the cloud, we can conduct audits in real-time, monitor rates of complications, and compare them to internal benchmarks or international standards. Cloud data systems also support clinical research where we establish trends, trial new protocols, and write articles for peer-reviewed publication based on clinical evidence. We can share anonymised data between sites to allow for collaboration and continued learning and support for surgeons overall. Our cloud platform allows easy access to essential patient information without breaching confidentiality. In all these ways, our cloud-based systems are an important tool in advancing Sharp Sight’s commitment to quality assurance, research, and ultimately better eye care for all members of our network. 

How has the use of EMRs changed workflows, moisture, or interaction between departments, or coordinated long-term follow-up of patients in multi-speciality eye care centres?

Implementing EMRs at Sharp Sight has transformed our operational processes and enhanced coordination in patient care. All patient information – diagnosis, imaging, treatment plans and follow-up reports – is now all electronic, allowing crisp communication between departments. This eliminates duplicating tests, speeds up decision-making and collaboration among specialists. EMRs also assist us in tracking long-term follow-up for chronic diseases like glaucoma or retinal disease to ensure timely intervention to improve outcomes. EMRs can also automate patient reminders and notifications, which will improve compliance with care plans. Overall, EMRs lessen both the work of administration, help with teamwork work and allow us to gain proficiency in each patient’s journey of eye health. This process further boosts Sharp Sight’s mission to provide accurate and continuous, patient-centred care across specialities.

What kind of expansion or partnership places you have for Sharp Sight Hospital for the next 1- 3 years? 

Sharp Sight is working to grow our footprint in order to provide world-class eye care to more communities. In the next 1–3 years, we want to establish new sites in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where the availability of specialist eye care is still below adequate. We will also explore strategic partnerships with regional healthcare systems and hospitals to provide complex surgical and diagnostic care in the Sharp Sight manner. In addition, technology partners for tele-ophthalmology and AI-powered screening will help ensure all patients can access innovation, no matter where they are. Growing our footprint is both geographic and in developing centres of excellence with multidisciplinary specialists, contemporary infrastructure, and disciplined training programs. Through all these activities, Sharp Sight will continue to expand its footprint with integrated care for all patients.

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From cataracts in the elderly to rising glaucoma and macular degeneration, access and equity remain challenges. How is Sharp Sight leveraging technology like tele-ophthalmology to bridge the urban-rural divide and ensure affordable care? 

Sharp Sight understands that in many rural and remote communities, access to timely eye care can be a challenge for many patients. To solve this, we have incorporated tele-ophthalmology services, which allow initial consults, screen exams and follow-ups to happen remotely. In concert with high-resolution imaging devices, secure video consults allow our specialists to assess patients accurately, and they won’t necessarily have to travel immediately. This reduces cost, travel times, and logistical gaps to access care. Tele-ophthalmology cases also provide opportunities for early diagnosis of conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration and timely referral and treatment. In combination with technology and assisting local health workers and outreach, Sharp Sight believes we are able to offer accessible, quality eye care for everyone, while still emphasising affordable quality clinical excellence in urban and rural communities.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or views of any organisation. The content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.

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