SightMD, a leading ophthalmology practice in the United States, has announced a historic milestone in surgical innovation.
A media release from SightMD said Dr Eric Rosenberg had become the first surgeon in the world to successfully perform cataract surgery using the Apple Vision Pro, powered by ScopeXR, a groundbreaking mixed reality surgical platform co-developed by Dr Rosenberg.
The release said the initial procedure was successfully completed in October 2025, and since that time Dr Rosenberg and his team had performed hundreds of additional cases using the platform, demonstrating both its scalability and real-world clinical impact.
SightMD said the achievement represented a transformative convergence of spatial computing and ophthalmic surgery, redefining how procedures could be visualised, guided, and taught.
The procedure was performed at SightMD’s surgical facility and marks the first time a cataract surgeon has used a spatial computing headset as the primary visualisation interface.
Using ScopeXR, Dr Rosenberg viewed the operative field in immersive stereoscopic 3D while simultaneously accessing real-time surgical overlays and comprehensive preoperative diagnostic data, all without breaking sterile technique.
“What we accomplished in that operating room is something that has never been done before anywhere in the world,” he said.
“This isn’t just about a new device, it’s about reimagining what the operating room of the future looks like. We’ve created a platform that makes surgeons safer, smarter, and more connected.”
ScopeXR is a spatial computing software platform designed specifically for ophthalmic surgery.
It integrates seamlessly with existing 3D digital surgical microscopes, including the Ngenuity 3D Visualisation System through HDMI, USB, or wireless NDI protocols. The platform streams real-time surgical imaging directly into the surgeon’s headset.
Importantly, ScopeXR is hardware-agnostic, allowing compatibility with a wide range of surgical systems and enabling rapid adoption across operating rooms without requiring major infrastructure changes.
SightMD said that one of ScopeXR’s most impactful features was its real-time remote collaboration capability. Surgeons, mentors, and consultants anywhere in the world can virtually join procedures, seeing exactly what the operating surgeon sees, including live microscope feeds and diagnostic data, while communicating via secure, two-way audio.
“We are now able to bring the world’s best surgeon into any operating room, at any hour, from anywhere on the planet,” said Dr Rosenberg.
“From residents performing their first cases to surgeons facing unexpected complications, this technology democratises access to expertise and that will save vision.”
The platform also revolutionises surgical education, enabling medical students, residents, and fellows to observe and learn remotely with unprecedented clarity and immersion, while reducing the need for additional personnel in the operating room.
The release said that as the technology continued to mature, ScopeXR was expected to expand across ophthalmology and other surgical specialties, with ongoing efforts focused on clinical research, regulatory pathways, and broader deployment.
