Horizon Surgical Systems Reports 1st Robotic-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Horizon Surgical Systems, a company specializing in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for ophthalmic surgery, announced the world’s first cataract surgery performed using its Polaris platform.

The surgery was done by Los Angeles cataract surgeon Uday Devgan, MD, FACS. The company said it marks a crucial step toward a new standard of precision and safety.

While success rates are high for cataract surgery, outcomes can vary based on the surgeon’s technique, case level, case complexity, and training level. Polaris is the first surgical platform built for ophthalmology that combines AI-driven visualization with micro-robotic control.

Dr. Devgan said that every cataract patient deserves the same level of safety, precision, and visual outcome, but the reality is even the most skilled surgeons can encounter subtle inconsistencies across procedures.

“With Polaris, I experienced a new level of control that directly addresses those challenges,” Dr. Devgan told the press. “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.”

Horizon founder and CEO Jean Pierre Hubschman, MD said Polaris’ first-in-human procedure is the culmination of over a decade of innovation, and the beginning of its clinical journey.

“Polaris was designed to extend surgeons’ capabilities by delivering greater precision while enhancing safety and efficiency in ophthalmic surgery,” said Dr. Hubschman. “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.”

The company plans to treat more patients and show Polaris’ expanded capabilities in the coming months, with the goal of obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and commercialization.