Robotics and cybersurgery in ophthalmology: a current perspective

Abstract

Ophthalmology is one of the most enriched fields, allowing the domain of artificial intelligence to be part of its point of interest in scientific research. The requirement of specialized microscopes and visualization systems presents a challenge to adapting robotics in ocular surgery. Cyber-surgery has been used in other surgical specialties aided by Da Vinci robotic system. This study focuses on the current perspective of using robotics and cyber-surgery in ophthalmology and highlights factors limiting their progression. A review of literature was performed with the aid of Google Scholar, Pubmed, CINAHL, MEDLINE (N.H.S. Evidence), Cochrane, AMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Keywords: Cybersurgery, Telesurgery, ophthalmology robotics, Da Vinci robotic system, artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, training on robotic surgery, ethics of the use of robots in medicine, legal aspects, and economics of cybersurgery and robotics. 150 abstracts were reviewed for inclusion, and 68 articles focusing on ophthalmology were included for full-text review. Da Vinci Surgical System has been used to perform a pterygium repair in humans and was successful in ex vivo corneal, strabismus, amniotic membrane, and cataract surgery. Gamma Knife enabled effective treatment of uveal melanoma. Robotics used in ophthalmology were: Da Vinci Surgical System, Intraocular Robotic Interventional Surgical System (IRISS), Johns Hopkins Steady-Hand Eye Robot and smart instruments, and Preceyes’ B.V. Cybersurgery is an alternative to overcome distance and the shortage of surgeons. However, cost, availability, legislation, and ethics are factors limiting the progression of these fields. Robotic and cybersurgery in ophthalmology are still in their niche. Cost-effective studies are needed to overcome the delay. Technologies, such as 5G and Tactile Internet, are required to help reduce resource scheduling problems in cybersurgery. In addition, prototype development and the integration of artificial intelligence applications could further enhance the safety and precision of ocular surgery.

Exploring the matrix: knowledge, perceptions and prospects of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Nigerian healthcare

“…The field of robotics started as an advancement in the field of mechanical and electronic engineering to perform repetitive tasks in industrial settings (Rajan and Saffiotti, 2017). However, the integration of artificial intelligence into such systems has led to the development of intelligent robots that employ a high degree of accuracy and precision to perform complex sophisticated procedures, including surgeries (Bramhe and Pathak, 2022;Alafaleq, 2023). The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare is numerous, given that it can also be applied in areas such as drug discovery and development, innovative treatment design, and the identification of drug therapy problems (Holzinger et al, 2019).…”

Evolution of Surgical Robot Systems Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence: A Review

“…In 2016, Shademan et al [ 38 ] developed a three‐dimensional and near‐infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging system and an autonomous suturing algorithm that could enable in vivo supervised autonomous soft tissue surgery in an open surgical setting. In 2018, Saeidi et al [ 162 ] developed and assessed a shared control strategy based on STAR for human–robot collaboration in surgical scenarios. In 2021, Leonard et al [ 110 ] added a second robot manipulator on STAR for managing loose sutures and introduced novel near‐infrared fluorescent sutures for automatically segmenting and delimiting the boundaries of the suturing task.…”

Three-Dimensional and Head Up (3D & Head Up) Surgeries and Future Vitrectomy Devices

“…Geleceğe yönelik perspektifler arasında; 5G ve yapay zeka gibi teknolojilerin telecerrahide kaynak planlama sorunlarını azaltmaya yardımcı olması yer almaktadır. 65 Son yıllarda bu alanda kaydedilen umut verici eğilimler ve hızlı ilerlemeler göz önüne alındığında, retina mikrocerrahisinde robotiğin tam potansiyelini gerçekleştirmek için daha fazla araştırma ve yatırım yapılacağı öngörülmektedir.…”