35-year-old eye hospital expands services with MEL-90 refractive surgery machine
Kerala, India, September 3rd , 2025: Patients across Central Travancore will no longer need to travel to major cities for LASIK surgery. Amita Eye Care, a unit of Eye Microsurgery and Laser Centre, Thiruvalla’s established eye hospital, is launching the region’s first dedicated laser vision correction center in September, equipped with the ZEISS MEL-90 system for treating common refractive errors.
The development marks another first for the NABH-accredited facility, which has been introducing advanced eye care technologies to the region since 1990. “We’ve always believed that quality eye care shouldn’t require long journeys,” says Dr. Amita Verghese, who co-founded the hospital with Dr. Verghese Joseph when intraocular lens implantation was still rare in Kerala.
Central Travancore encompasses several districts where residents previously travelled to Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram for LASIK procedures. The new centre addresses this gap, offering the same precision technology available in metropolitan areas.
The ZEISS MEL-90 machine represents current standards in refractive surgery, capable of correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism through excimer laser technology. The system’s eye-tracking capabilities ensure accuracy during procedures that typically take less than 30 minutes per eye.
Dr. Verghese Joseph, who has performed all varieties of ophthalmic surgeries during his career, notes that LASIK fits naturally into their comprehensive approach.
The hospital’s track record suggests strong local demand. Since 1990, Amita Eye Care has steadily moved from a small centre to a state-of-the-art, modern-day care organization with NABH accreditation and ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Installation of the LASIK wing begins this month, with the first procedures scheduled for late September. The center will operate within the hospital’s existing premises as a separate wing on the 2nd floor of the building complex.
For Dr. Amita Verghese, the LASIK center represents continuation rather than departure. “Thirty-five years ago, we started with basic eye care and kept adding services as technology improved. This is just the next step in serving our community better.”
The hospital expects the facility to serve patients from Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kollam, the central Travancore region, other areas of Kerala, and even patients from abroad. For more information, visit: www.amitaeyecare.com