Horizon Surgical Systems Announces World’s First Robotic Cataract Surgery Using the Polaris Platform
Horizon Surgical Systems announced the completion of the world’s first cataract surgery performed using its Polaris robotic platform. The milestone procedure was conducted by Uday Devgan, MD, FACS.
According to Horizon, the Polaris platform is the first surgical system purpose-built for ophthalmology that integrates AI-driven visualization with micro-robotic precision control. The system is designed to reduce variability, enhance accuracy, and integrate smoothly into existing operating room workflows—offering surgeons a new level of control while maintaining procedural familiarity.
“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. “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.”
“This first-in-human procedure represents the culmination of more than a decade of innovation and the start of Polaris’ clinical journey,” said Jean Pierre Hubschman, MD, founder and CEO of Horizon. “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 plans to expand its clinical program by treating additional patients and further demonstrating the platform’s capabilities. The company’s long-term goal is to achieve FDA approval and advance toward commercialization.
With over 15 years of research and development and origins at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Horizon’s flagship Polaris platform is the first AI-supported and robotics-enabled surgical system developed specifically for ophthalmology. Designed to extend the surgeon’s capabilities, Polaris aims to deliver consistent outcomes, enhanced precision, and greater surgical efficiency, addressing the global challenges of growing patient demand and workforce shortages.
Learn more at horizonsurgicalsystems.com.