Micron-accurate robot completes world's first cataract procedure

A surgical robotics system developed at UCLA by Horizon Surgical Systems has successfully completed the world’s first robotic-assisted human cataract surgery, marking a significant advancement in ophthalmic care. Cataracts, which cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens and affect nearly 94 million people globally, are the leading cause of blindness. While cataract surgery is common—with over 26 million procedures annually—it requires extreme precision due to the delicate, micron-scale anatomy involved. In a first-in-human study involving 10 patients, surgeons at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute used Horizon’s Polaris robotic platform to perform standard cataract procedures without any adverse events. The system allowed surgeons to operate from a cockpit with real-time visual and tactile feedback, while robotic arms executed precise corneal incisions, lens removal, and implantation of artificial lenses to restore vision. This breakthrough is the culmination of over a decade of collaboration between UCLA engineers and physicians, supported by NIH funding and led by co-founders from UCLA faculty. The Polaris system demonstrated