Shyam Anand

CEO & Managing Director

Technological changes, emergence of minimally invasive surgeries and mounting awareness regarding planned eye care procedures have catalyzed a fast pace of industry-wide change faced by the global ophthalmic surgical instruments business.

As patients require accuracy and safety, and surgeons want the tools that provide both reliability and innovation, manufacturers need to produce the best and innovative solutions that can assist surgical performance. In this changing scenario, India has become a key player, home to companies that combine engineering skill with medical insight to serve both domestic and global markets.

Among these great players is Epsilon Eye Care which has established a niche in the market of ophthalmic instruments. Making a smooth transition from a modest beginning into a globally recognized brand, it does not only devise the instruments but enables surgeons to discover and restore sight with unmatched accuracy and confidence.

As a company that operates based on innovation, collaboration with surgeons, and commitment to quality, it has earned the reputation of a precision-driven and trustworthy player in the complex realm of eye care.

The company was established back in 1997 purely as a trading firm. But, due to the far-sighted vision of Shyam Anand, Founder of Epsilon Eye Care, who brings decades of experience in the surgical instrument manufacturing, it has become a highly specialized manufacturer of surgical instruments, today. Furthermore, the early days were humble, with just five workers and a small inventory of 100 instruments. Titanium, then unavailable locally, was imported to meet the niche demand.

With the technological advancements and availability of titanium in India, the company took an advantage to grow and diversify its portfolio to include fine surgical instruments. As eye health became widely known, patients started developing their surgical procedures carefully, conducting research on surgeons, procedures, and even on instruments that would be used.

This shift in patient behavior further boosted the demand for high-quality, precision instruments, a need Epsilon was uniquely positioned to fulfill.

From Surgeon’s Vision to Precision Instruments

Today, the company operates out of two factories in Gujarat, which are staffed by over 125 employees. Many of the employees have been with the company for decades, showcasing how positive the culture has been for professionals. It is not only the manufacturing ability which gives the company an edge, its focus towards craftsmanship is also central in its thinking.

Instruments are produced under high magnification. Another noteworthy aspect would be that none of these are mass-produced instruments, rather, each instrument is hand-finished, much as a piece of jewellery would be and the primary concern is precision.

The company places significant investments in human capital, regularly training and upskilling its employee base in a master-apprentice fashion, ensuring that the legacy of meticulous manufacturing continues uninterrupted.

The founder signifies, “Epsilon’s ability to transform a surgeon’s idea into a functional instrument has earned it accolades and partnerships across the world. With typical challenges experienced in the middle of a surgery, surgeons often get to innovate at their moment of need. Many of its best-known products have originated from such surgeon-led insights.

These concepts are converted to sketches, developed into prototypes, and finally, after stringent testing and reviews, they are introduced into the market. With in-house R&D and advanced equipment such as its CNC, wire-cutting and laser machines, the company is able to ensure that its products meet stringent global standards with good repeatability and minimal rejection rates.

Setting Standards in Quality, Compliance, & Care

The company’s innovation-first philosophy has been recognized by prestigious institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and various state ophthalmic societies. Besides being commercially successful, it has also contributed to humanitarian causes, most notably during a Kashmir conflict when it designed specialized instruments within 72 hours to extract glass beads and gun pellets stuck in the eyes of the victims.

Not only did this incredible contribution save an infinite number of patients from irreversible consequences of losing sight but it also gained the company widespread acclaim for its responsiveness and sense of duty. Additionally, Epsilon’s regulatory and quality systems are equally robust. I t is ISO-certified and complies with all CDSCO requirements, with manufacturing licenses in place.

“Every equipment is subjected to strict SOP and technical designs and quality checks are put in place at all points of manufacturing, starting from raw material procurement to finished product”, explains Shyam Anand, CEO & Managing Director, Epsilon Eye Care. These standards of excellence have enabled the company to become the OEM partner of choice to nearly all big multinational companies in India.

Although its international presence is supported by an established relationship with a major distributor in the US, the company has extended its presence to Asian markets and has many direct purchasers across the globe. Domestically, its reach is extensive, with 85 channel partners across India and a dedicated sales team that not only markets the instru­ments but also assists surgeons in operating theatres. These representatives collect feedback, assist with usage, and of­ten serve as the first touchpoint for new product ideas.

In addition, the company participates in medical conferences and continuous medical education (CME); ensuring its in­novations remains visible and accessible to India’s vibrant ophthalmic community.

Fueling Innovation with Global Insight & Financial Discipline

Some of the most demanded instruments include those used during cataract surgery, vitreo-retinal surgery, and in corneal surgery. Other products such as capsulorhexis forceps and bimanual systems are also very popular and it is estimated that 70-80 percent of ophthalmologists throughout India are leveraging at least two Epsilon products.

The company’s solutions have also gained traction globally, having been developed in close collaboration with leading surgeons from both India and abroad, many of whom have contributed significantly to the advancement of its product portfolio.

A Journey of Excellence

The company’s journey is not only marked by technical achievements but also by financial prudence. Remarkably, it is entirely debt-free, having never taken a bank loan. It has self-financed all growth using the profits of the business. This financial stability signifies its quality discipline and sustainable plan of growth.

For its founder, ophthalmology has been a lifelong passion. He has attended almost all ophthalmic conferences in India and overseas over the last forty years. He remains a thought leader in the space as he is the president of the All India Ophthalmic Manufacturers & Traders Association and is generally known as a living encyclopedia of the industry.

Engineering the Future of Sight

Going forward, Epsilon Eye Care is poised for continued evolution. Its systems are designed for longevity, and its adaptability to emerging trends ensures it remains future-ready. Just as it has transitioned smoothly from manual craftsmanship to precision automation, the company is prepared to embrace the next frontier of ophthalmic care.

Within this industry, where precision, dependability and speed may make the difference between seeing and being blind, Epsilon Eye Care has established itself as a trusted partner to surgeons worldwide. It is a company built on precision, powered by people, and guided by a purpose, which is to restore sight, one instrument at a time.