ForSight Robotics Achieves Historic First-in-Human Fully Robot-Assisted Cataract Surgery
ForSight Robotics has announced a historic milestone in the evolution of eye care: the successful completion of the world’s first fully robot-assisted cataract surgery performed on a human patient. Conducted using the company’s proprietary JASPER™ Platform, this achievement represents a significant leap forward in surgical precision, accessibility, and innovation within ophthalmology.
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure globally, yet access to it remains limited for millions of patients. By introducing a fully robotic solution capable of executing the entire procedure, ForSight Robotics is setting the stage for a transformative shift in how eye surgeries are delivered worldwide.
The JASPER™ Platform: Redefining Surgical Precision
At the center of this milestone is the JASPER™ Platform, formerly known as the ORYOM platform. Designed to replicate and enhance the workflow of traditional cataract surgery, the system supports surgeons through every stage of the procedure with advanced imaging, refined dexterity, and motion scaling capabilities.
Unlike earlier robotic systems that could only assist with isolated steps, the JASPER™ Platform successfully completed the entire cataract surgery—from start to finish—without the need for general anesthesia. This aligns with modern cataract surgery practices, which typically rely on local anesthesia and minimally invasive techniques.
The platform is engineered to work collaboratively with surgeons rather than replace them. By enhancing precision and reducing variability between procedures, it aims to deliver more consistent and accurate patient outcomes. Additionally, it addresses one of the most overlooked challenges in ophthalmology: the physical strain on surgeons. Long hours in fixed, awkward positions often lead to musculoskeletal issues, and JASPER™ helps mitigate this by improving ergonomics and reducing fatigue.
The Surgical Milestone and Key Contributors
The groundbreaking procedure was performed by Dr. Alexey Rapoport, marking a defining moment in his career and in the field of eye surgery. The clinical study was led by Dr. Robert Edward T. Ang of the Asian Eye Institute, who served as the Principal Investigator.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Rapoport described the procedure as a realization of what once seemed like a distant vision. The successful operation demonstrated not only the technical capabilities of robotic assistance but also its readiness for real-world clinical application.
A New Era Without General Anesthesia
One of the most notable aspects of this achievement is that the surgery was completed without general anesthesia. Previous robotic-assisted ophthalmic procedures often relied on general anesthesia and were limited to partial automation.
By contrast, the JASPER™ Platform aligns with current standards of cataract care, which prioritize patient comfort, faster recovery, and reduced risk. This advancement underscores the platform’s readiness to integrate seamlessly into existing clinical workflows while elevating the level of precision and control available to surgeons.
Addressing a Global Healthcare Challenge
The global burden of cataracts is immense. It is estimated that over 600 million people worldwide require cataract surgery, yet only about 30 million procedures are performed each year. This disparity highlights a significant gap in access to care, driven by a shortage of trained surgeons and the demanding nature of the procedure.
ForSight Robotics aims to bridge this gap by leveraging robotic technology to scale surgical capabilities. The JASPER™ Platform has the potential to standardize procedures, reduce dependency on highly specialized manual skills, and expand access to high-quality eye care—particularly in underserved and remote regions.
By enabling surgeons to perform procedures more efficiently and with less physical strain, the platform could also help extend the careers of ophthalmologists and increase the overall surgical capacity of healthcare systems.
Leadership Vision and Industry Impact
Dr. Joseph Nathan, co-founder, president, and Chief Medical Officer of ForSight Robotics, emphasized the broader implications of this milestone. He described it as a pivotal moment not just for ophthalmology, but for global healthcare as a whole.
According to Dr. Nathan, the successful completion of a fully robotic cataract procedure opens the door to dramatically expanding access to vision-restoring treatments. The ability to deliver consistent, high-quality surgical outcomes at scale could significantly reduce preventable blindness worldwide.
Adding to this perspective, Dr. Fred Moll—a pioneer in robotic surgery and an investor in ForSight Robotics—highlighted the transformative potential of the technology. He noted that this milestone goes beyond technical achievement, representing a reimagining of how eye surgery is performed. By improving precision, standardization, and accessibility, robotic systems like JASPER™ could redefine the future of surgical care.
Enhancing Surgeon Performance and Longevity
Beyond patient outcomes, the JASPER™ Platform is designed with the well-being of surgeons in mind. Cataract surgery requires extreme precision and is often performed repeatedly over long periods, placing significant strain on the body.
The platform’s ergonomic design and motion-scaling technology reduce the physical demands of surgery, helping to prevent common occupational injuries among ophthalmologists. This not only improves the quality of life for surgeons but also ensures that experienced professionals can continue practicing for longer periods, contributing to a more sustainable healthcare workforce.
Building Toward Clinical Validation and Regulatory Approval
Following this successful first-in-human procedure, ForSight Robotics is preparing to advance into the next phase of development. The company plans to conduct further clinical validation studies and pursue regulatory approvals in key markets.
These steps are essential for bringing the JASPER™ Platform into widespread clinical use. If successful, the technology could become a cornerstone of modern ophthalmic surgery, enabling healthcare providers to meet growing demand while maintaining high standards of care.
The company’s progress is supported by its successful Series B funding round in 2025, which has provided the resources needed to accelerate development and commercialization efforts.
The Future of Robotic Eye Surgery
The successful deployment of the JASPER™ Platform marks the beginning of a new era in eye care—one where robotics and human expertise work hand in hand to deliver better outcomes for patients.
As the technology continues to evolve, it holds the promise of making high-quality cataract surgery more accessible, efficient, and consistent across the globe. For millions of patients facing vision impairment, this innovation could mean faster access to life-changing treatment and a renewed quality of life.
ForSight Robotics’ achievement is not just a milestone—it is a glimpse into the future of medicine, where advanced robotics help overcome longstanding challenges and bring essential healthcare services to those who need them most.
About ForSight Robotics Ltd.:
ForSight Robotics is a surgical robotics company pioneering world-class technology to democratize quality surgical eye care. The Israel-based company is developing the JASPER™ (Joint Aligned System for Precise Eye Robotics) Platform, the world’s first robotic surgery platform for cataract and widespread eye diseases, which will utilize AI-based algorithms, advanced computer vision, and micromechanics. Backed by globally recognized VCs and industry leaders, ForSight Robotics is redefining ophthalmic surgery and bringing hope to millions of patients worldwide.
