Chinese researchers develop eye surgery robot more precise than human surgeons

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Automation have engineered an autonomous robotic system designed to navigate the fragile and confined interior of the human eye. The robot — detailed in a paper published in Science Robotics — is capable of performing intricate procedures, such as subretinal and intravascular injections, which are critical for treating severe retinal diseases.

Operating on the eye is notoriously difficult due to the organ's small size and soft tissue. To overcome these challenges, the new system utilizes advanced algorithms for 3D spatial perception and trajectory control. This technology allows the robotic arm to achieve cross-scale precise positioning, ensuring stable movement within the eye's delicate internal structures.

In a series of tests involving model eyes and animal subjects (both living and ex vivo), the robot achieved a 100% success rate. Crucially, it demonstrated a massive leap in accuracy: the system reduced positioning errors by nearly 80% compared to manual surgery and roughly 55% compared to robots controlled by human surgeons.

The researchers believe this technology proves the clinical feasibility of autonomous microsurgery. By standardizing procedures and reducing the reliance on manual dexterity, the system could improve safety, shorten the steep learning curve for new doctors, and eventually allow complex eye surgeries to be performed in remote or extreme environments where specialists are scarce.