Horizon Surgical Systems announced in a press release that the world’s first robotics-assisted cataract surgery was performed using the company's Polaris platform. The procedure was completed by Uday Devgan, MD, FACS, in El Salvador. The device is for investigational use only and is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the company, Polaris is the first surgical platform purpose-built for ophthalmology that fuses artificial intelligence (AI)-driven visualization with micro-robotic control, aiming to reduce variability, increase precision, and integrate 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, in the press release. “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.”
Jean Pierre Hubschman, MD, founder and CEO of Horizon, also noted: “This first-in-human procedure represents the culmination of more than a decade of innovation and the start of Polaris’ clinical journey. 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.”
In the coming months, Horizon said it expects to treat additional patients and demonstrate the expanded capabilities of Polaris, with the ultimate goal of securing FDA approval and commercialization.