Fellow Performs World-First Robotic-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Uday Devgan, MD, FACS, an ophthalmologist in private practice and former professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), recently co-led the world’s first human clinical trial of robotic-assisted cataract surgery.

Dr. Devgan and the surgical team worked on a robotics system developed by UCLA engineers and physicians—Horizon Surgical System’s Polaris robotic platform—to successfully complete robotic cataract replacement in 10 patients.

Each patient received a standard cataract operation with the robotic platform. The robotic cockpit incorporates a specialized input device that provides real-time augmentation, guidance overlays, and tactile paddles while the surgeon views a 3D monitor displaying ocular anatomy captured through multimodal imaging systems—a notable advance in visualization for an operation that takes place in anatomical structures sensitive to micron-level alterations.

The robot used interchangeable microsurgical tools to make small corneal incisions and remove the cataract-affected lens, and Dr. Devgan and his ophthalmologic colleague then implanted a clear, patient-specific artificial lens to restore 20/20 vision.

Cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures globally, with more than 25 million operations taking place each year, while more than 4 million take place annually in US. Although access to robotic-assisted cataract surgery will remain limited as the technology grows, this innovation could eventually transform the field by providing more precise tools and better outcomes.