Robotic System Tested in Retinal Surgery

The first-in-human trial of the Luca system suggests robotic surgery may be safe and feasible.

By: Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor

Retinal Physician July 14, 2025 Vol 22, Issue July/August 2025 Page(s): 14, 17

Clinical Report: Robotic System Tested in Retinal Surgery

Overview

The first-in-human trial of the Luca robotic system for vitreoretinal surgery indicates that robotic assistance may enhance surgical precision and reproducibility while maintaining patient safety. Early results show successful completion of procedures without adverse events, suggesting a promising future for robotic systems in complex retinal surgeries.

Background

Expand on the limitations of current surgical techniques and advantages of the Luca system.

Data Highlights

Parameter	Value
Intrinsic tremor of human hand	200 µm
Precision of Luca system	10 µm
Number of patients in trial	6
Successful procedures	6

Key Findings

The Luca system demonstrated improved surgical precision with a tremor reduction capability of 20 times compared to human hands.
All 6 procedures in the trial were completed successfully without any adverse events related to the robotic system.
Surgeons reported feeling more accurate with the robotic assistance in 4 out of 6 cases.
The robotic setup, while initially time-consuming, is manageable for subsequent surgeries.
The system integrates with standard surgical instruments and 3D visualization platforms.

Clinical Implications

The Luca robotic system may enhance the safety and precision of vitreoretinal surgeries, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. As robotic technology continues to develop, it may become a valuable tool for complex procedures that require high levels of accuracy.

Conclusion

The early results from the Luca robotic system trial suggest a promising future for robotic assistance in retinal surgery, with the potential to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the learning curve for complex procedures.

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Retinal Physician