US company Horizon Surgical Systems has announced what it claims is the first cataract surgery performed using robotics and AI.
In a media release, it said the milestone procedure was completed by Dr Uday Devgan, a world-renowned cataract surgeon based in Los Angeles, “marking a pivotal step toward a new standard of precision and safety in eye surgery”.
Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed operation worldwide, with more than five million procedures annually in the US alone.
While success rates are high, outcomes can vary based on surgeon technique, case complexity, and training level, factors that are increasingly challenging amid workforce shortages and rising patient demand.
The Polaris robotic surgical platform. Image: Horizon Surgical Systems.
The company said its Polaris robotic-assisted platform was the first system purpose-built for ophthalmology that fused AI-driven visualisation with micro-robotic control, aiming to reduce variability, increase precision, and integrate seamlessly into established operating room workflows.
“Every cataract patient deserves the same level of safety, precision, and visual outcome, but the reality is that even the best surgeons can encounter subtle inconsistencies across procedures,” said Dr Devgan.
“With Polaris, I experienced a new level of control that directly addresses those challenges. It has the potential to deliver more reliable outcomes for patients while giving surgeons the confidence that every case can be approached with greater consistency.
“This first-in-human procedure represents the culmination of more than a decade of innovation and the start of Polaris’ clinical journey,” said Dr Jean Pierre Hubschman, founder and CEO of Horizon.
“Polaris was designed to extend surgeons’ capabilities by delivering greater precision while enhancing safety and efficiency in ophthalmic surgery.
“Achieving the world’s first successful robotic cataract surgery is a landmark milestone that underscores how robotics and AI can help address some of the most pressing challenges in global eye care.”
According to Horizon, the technology does not replace the surgeon but augments their capability to deliver more consistent and reliable outcomes.
In the coming months, Horizon said it would treat additional patients and demonstrate the expanded capabilities of Polaris, with the ultimate goal of securing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and commercialisation.