Israeli surgical company announces first fully robotic cataract surgery

Israeli eye surgical company ForSight has announced that its JASPER platform completed the world’s first fully robotic cataract surgery without general anesthesia. The company said the procedure could significantly expand global access to eye care services.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Alexey Rapoport, with Dr. Robert Edward T. Ang of the Asian Eye Institute in Manila serving as principal investigator. ForSight emphasized that the procedure was conducted in line with standard practices for modern cataract surgery.

Dr. Joseph Nathan, ForSight Robotics’ co-founder, president and chief medical officer, said, “This is a defining moment for ophthalmic surgery and the future of global healthcare.” He believes that the robotic-based platform could eventually make cataract surgery services accessible to millions of patients around the world.

Cataract surgery is a common medical procedure that replaces a cloudy eye lens (cataract) with a clear artificial lens to optimize/restore vision. Over 600 million people worldwide require cataract surgery, according to ForSight.

However, due to a shortage of surgeons and the physical demands of the procedure, statistics show that only around 30 million cataract surgeries are performed annually, meeting only a small fraction of global demand.

Known previously as ORYOM, the JASPER platform is reportedly designed to mimic the workflow and feel of conventional human-led cataract surgery. The company stressed that robot-based systems help surgeons through every step of the process. The system incorporates advanced imaging and precision controls. It also uses scaling designed to reduce surgeon fatigue and variability between procedures.

“Performing the first-in-human cataract surgery with the JASPER Platform has been the highlight of my career,” Dr. Rapoport said. “Something we could only dream about a few years ago is now a reality,” he emphasized.

The company believes the JASPER platform could help address the global shortage of cataract surgeries, particularly in underserved regions with limited access to conventional medical services. However, ForSight emphasized that the system is still in the development and design stage and has not yet received formal approval for widespread international commercial use.