Apple Vision Pro Used In World-First Cataract Surgery

Apple's Vision Pro has been used in what's described as the world's first cataract surgery performed with the headset. MacRumors reports: [New York opthalmologist] Dr. Eric Rosenberg of SightMD completed the initial procedure in October 2025 and has since performed hundreds of additional cases using ScopeXR, a surgical platform he co-developed for Apple's mixed reality device. ScopeXR streams live feeds from 3D digital surgical microscopes directly into the Vision Pro, which lets the surgeon view the operative field in stereoscopic 3D while overlaying preoperative diagnostic data. The platform also supports real-time remote collaboration, allowing surgeons to virtually join procedures and see exactly what the operating surgeon sees. "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 in a company press release. "From residents performing their first cases to surgeons facing unexpected complications, this technology democratizes access to expertise and that will save vision."

apple will take 30% of the bill

[Joe_Dragon]

apple will take 30% of the bill

Yeah, no thanks

[Bahbus]

I will not go to any kind of doctor promoting, or using, Apple garbage tech directly in any treatments or surgeries.

It makes sense to me

[Presence Eternal]

I watched some stuff about North Korea and doctors going in to teach cataract surgery. According to the film, it's one of the easier and most life changing surgeries someone can learn. If this is the case, although it involves the eye, this would be a very safe and conservative surgery to attempt new and cheaper technologies with, and one of the ones that can benefit most from remote assistance. Thus the heavy emphasis on educational and "remote hand holding" situations.

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[MikeDataLink]

I will not go to any kind of doctor promoting, or using, Apple garbage tech directly in any treatments or surgeries.

I bet you're fun to be around. /s

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[machineghost]

So you know what tools an ophthalmologist should use ... better than the ophthalmologist himself?

To me that feels like ... if I were writing software for an ophthalmologist ... and that ophthalmologist was like "You use VS Code? I won't hire someone who uses such garbage tech".

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[NotEmmanuelGoldstein]

When your eyeballs are full of cataracts, I suspect you will be more interested in how quickly and cheaply, your eyesight can be saved. Apple finally has a use for its product, that's capitalism working as intended. I'm pleased you'll accept blindness as the price of your principles but fighting all the things capitalism is doing wrong, is a better choice.

apples

[noshellswill]

Silly me. I did not know only Apple sells apple vision pro. Where have I been? NMCLing my Linux WiFi ... it takes years  and lasts minutes ...

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[Valgrus Thunderaxe]

If I would violate an Apple license, I bet they'd come after me in court. I wonder if they're pursing this surgeon, right now (somehow, I don't think so).

Outcome

[backslashdot]

Patient's hearing was greatly improved.