Ophthalmology Robotic Systems

What is Surgical Robotic Ophthalmology?

Robotic ophthalmology refers to the use of robotic systems to assist or perform surgical procedures on the eye. Robots are used to enhance precision, reduce hand tremors, and allow microscale movements that are difficult or impossible for human hands alone.

What is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye diseases and vision disorders. It covers a wide range of conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and refractive errors like near-sightedness and far-sightedness.

Common Surgical Robotic Ophthalmology Procedures

Cataract Surgery

• Automated laser systems are used in some cataract surgeries, utilising real-time imaging (OCT) to guide the laser, and once programmed, they perform tasks automatically with micrometre accuracy.

Retinal and Vitreous Procedures

• Retinal and vitreous procedures are performed with microsurgical tools under a microscope, surgical robots can hold and move instruments with extreme precision, allowing for micron-scale movements essential for working on delicate retinal tissues.

Glaucoma Surgery

• Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to high intraocular pressure. During procedures like trabeculectomy or drainage device implantation, robots assist in making precise incisions or placing tiny devices with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Corneal Procedures

• In complex corneal surgeries, robots can assist with suturing the cornea reducing the risk of infection or scarring and improving patient’s wellbeing.
• Robots can also help in refractive surgeries like PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) or SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) by guiding the laser to reshape the cornea with extremely fine accuracy.
• In procedures like full-thickness or partial-thickness corneal transplants, robots can assist by making highly precise cuts in both the donor and recipient corneas.

Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery

• For oculoplastic & reconstructive surgery robots are often equipped with advanced imaging systems, such as high-definition cameras. This allows surgeons to see intricate details of the surgical area, making it easier to navigate delicate parts of the eye and surrounding structures.

Paediatric & Strabismus Surgery

• Strabismus surgery requires extremely delicate manipulation of the extraocular muscles, which controls eye movement. Using surgical robots offers sub-millimetre precision, tremor filtering and stable visualisation.