About
The PRECEYES Surgical System is a cutting-edge robotic assistant engineered for vitreoretinal eye surgery. Developed by Preceyes B.V. — now a ZEISS company — the system empowers surgeons to operate with a precision exceeding 20 µm, a level unachievable by human hands alone. By electronically scaling and filtering involuntary hand tremors, the robot provides unparalleled steadiness during delicate intraocular procedures. The system is compatible with a broad range of 23G, 25G, and 27G surgical instruments and can be used under both local and general anesthesia in standard operating room settings. Its design integrates seamlessly into existing surgical workflows, allowing the robot to be engaged only for specific high-precision tasks while the surgeon retains overall control. All surgical movements are recorded, enabling post-operative evaluation and serving as a powerful training tool for surgical education. The system has been rigorously validated through clinical investigations and preclinical research, achieving CE mark certification for commercial use. Key clinical milestones include the first-in-human robot-assisted subretinal drug delivery under local anesthesia and the integration of an instrument-integrated OCT (iiOCT)-based distance sensor for real-time spatial feedback during surgery. These capabilities open the door to previously impossible therapeutic interventions, such as highly targeted gene therapy and drug delivery to the subretinal space. The PRECEYES Surgical System is designed for ophthalmic surgical centers, research hospitals, and innovative eye care institutions looking to push the boundaries of retinal surgery.
Key Features
- Sub-20 µm Surgical Precision: Positions and holds instruments with accuracy better than 20 µm, far exceeding unaided human capability during delicate retinal procedures.
- Hand Tremor Filtering & Motion Scaling: Electronically filters involuntary hand tremors and scales surgeon movements to deliver unprecedented steadiness during surgery.
- Broad Instrument Compatibility: Works with a wide range of standard 23G, 25G, and 27G vitreoretinal instruments in typical OR environments under local or general anesthesia.
- Movement Recording for Training & Evaluation: Logs all robotic movements during surgery for post-operative analysis and use as a surgical training and education resource.
- OCT-Based Distance Sensing: Supports instrument-integrated OCT (iiOCT) distance sensors for real-time spatial feedback and enhanced intraoperative safety.
Use Cases
- Assisting vitreoretinal surgeons in performing ultra-precise retinal membrane peeling with reduced risk of tissue damage.
- Enabling first-in-human subretinal drug and gene therapy delivery that requires sub-20 µm positional accuracy.
- Recording and analyzing surgical movements for post-operative review, outcome tracking, and surgical resident training.
- Supporting clinical research into novel ophthalmic surgical techniques that are beyond the limits of unaided human dexterity.
- Integrating with OCT imaging systems for real-time intraoperative spatial feedback during complex vitreoretinal procedures.
Pros
- Clinically Validated & CE Marked: The system has passed rigorous clinical investigations and holds CE mark certification, confirming its safety and efficacy for commercial surgical use.
- Enables Novel Surgical Techniques: The exceptional precision enables first-of-their-kind procedures such as robot-assisted subretinal drug and gene therapy delivery.
- Seamless OR Integration: Designed to fit into standard operating room workflows without requiring specialized infrastructure or anesthesia protocols.
- ZEISS Ecosystem Backing: Acquired by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, providing strong institutional support, R&D resources, and global distribution capabilities.
Cons
- High Capital Cost: As a specialized medical robotic system, the PRECEYES platform represents a significant capital investment, limiting accessibility to well-funded surgical centers.
- Specialized Use Case: The system is purpose-built for vitreoretinal surgery, offering limited applicability outside of ophthalmic procedures.
- Requires Specialized Training: Surgeons and OR staff must undergo training to fully leverage the system's capabilities, adding onboarding time and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of surgeries is the PRECEYES Surgical System designed for?
The PRECEYES Surgical System is designed specifically for vitreoretinal eye surgery, including procedures on the retina and vitreous humor that require extreme precision.
What precision does the PRECEYES system achieve?
The system provides surgeons with positioning precision better than 20 µm, which is significantly finer than what is achievable with unaided human hands.
Is the PRECEYES Surgical System commercially available?
Yes, the PRECEYES Surgical System R1.1 holds a CE mark and is commercially available for clinical use in approved markets.
Who manufactures and supports PRECEYES?
Preceyes B.V. was acquired by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in March 2022 and is now integrated into the ZEISS group, benefiting from ZEISS's global support network.
Can the system be used with existing surgical instruments?
Yes, the PRECEYES Surgical System is compatible with a wide range of standard 23G, 25G, and 27G vitreoretinal instruments commonly used in ophthalmic surgery.
