| Abstract [eng] |
Robotic technologies have become an important part of many surgical fields over the past decades, however, their application in ophthalmology remains limited. Ophthalmic surgery requires extremely high precision, and even minimal involuntary movements can affect the course and outcomes of procedures. For this reason, robotic systems are considered a promising tool for improving precision and stability in microsurgical interventions. In recent years, an increasing number of specialized robotic systems have been developed, mainly focusing on vitreoretinal surgery. Aim of the study – to review the possibilities of applying robotics in eye surgery based on the latest scientific literature, discussing their operating principles, clinical applications, and significance in modern ophthalmology. Objectives: 1. To discuss the principles of robotics in microsurgery 2. To review the main robotic systems designed for eye surgery 3. To investigate the application of robotic systems in eye surgery and compare them with conventional surgical methods. 4. To review the future perspectives and limitations of robotics in eye surgery. Research methods: An extended literature review was conducted using the PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate platforms. The literature search was performed using the following English keywords and their combinations: “robot-assisted surgery”, “robotic eye surgery”, “ophthalmology”, and others. A total of 80 articles were included in the final analysis, most of which were published within the last 10 years, while older studies were included only to discuss essential aspects. Results: The available literature suggests that robotics in eye surgery may improve procedural precision and reduce the impact of hand tremor. The greatest benefits have been observed in vitreoretinal surgery, particularly in procedures such as subretinal injections and retinal vein cannulation. Early clinical studies demonstrate that robot-assisted procedures are safe and technically 5 feasible, however, they generally take longer than conventional surgery. Most robotic systems are still in the developmental or early research stages, and therefore the amount of clinical evidence remains limited. Conclusions: Robotic ophthalmic surgery is a promising field with the potential to improve surgical precision and safety, especially in complex vitreoretinal interventions. However, its application in clinical practice remains limited due to technological challenges, high costs, and insufficient clinical evidence. Further large-scale clinical studies and technological advancements are required for wider implementation. Keywords: robotic surgery, ophthalmology, vitreoretinal surgery, subretinal injection, retinal vein cannulation, microsurgery. |
