World’s first robotic cataract surgery marks milestone in ophthalmic robotics

Horizon Surgical Systems' Polaris platform: ©Horizon Surgical Systems

Horizon Surgical Systems announced the world’s first cataract surgery performed using its Polaris platform, marking a major milestone in the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in ophthalmic surgery. The procedure was completed by Uday Devgan, M.D., FACS, a cataract surgeon based in Los Angeles.

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed operation worldwide, with more than five million procedures annually in the United States alone. While success rates are high, outcomes can vary depending on the surgeon’s technique, case complexity, and training level — all factors that are increasingly difficult to manage amid workforce shortages and rising patient demand.

Polaris is the first surgical platform designed specifically for ophthalmology that combines AI-driven visualization with micro-robotic control. The system aims to standardize procedures by increasing precision, reducing variability, and integrating into existing 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 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 Jean Pierre Hubschman, M.D., 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.”

Horizon said it plans to treat additional patients in the coming months as part of the system’s clinical development, with the goal of securing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and eventual commercialization.

Advances in ophthalmic robotics and AI signal new era for eye surgery

The successful robotic cataract surgery underscores the accelerating convergence of robotics, imaging, and artificial intelligence in ophthalmology — a field that has seen remarkable technological progress in recent years. Traditionally, cataract and retinal surgeries rely heavily on the manual skill of the surgeon, but the growing adoption of robotic assistance and AI-powered visualization tools is beginning to transform how these delicate procedures are performed.

AI algorithms can now analyze preoperative scans to recommend customized incision plans and lens selections, while intraoperative systems offer real-time tracking of ocular structures to enhance safety. These tools help compensate for human variability, particularly in high-volume or complex cases, and are increasingly seen as essential to improving consistency in surgical outcomes.

Miniaturization of robotic instruments and advances in haptic feedback have also made it possible to perform microscale maneuvers inside the eye that were previously beyond human dexterity. In addition, integration with cloud-based data systems allows surgical platforms to continuously learn from thousands of cases, refining their guidance and control capabilities over time.

Experts say such innovations could help address the global shortage of ophthalmic surgeons and the growing demand for cataract surgery driven by aging populations. As AI-assisted technologies continue to mature, the next generation of ophthalmic systems may not only enhance precision and safety but also democratize access to high-quality vision care worldwide.