Our Summary

This study was conducted to understand how much force is applied to the eye (specifically the part called the sclera) during retinal surgeries in rabbits and if a robot could help control and reduce this force. The researchers compared the amount of force used during manual surgery, surgery with robot assistance, and surgery with robot assistance plus force control. The results showed that on average, the force applied during manual surgery and surgery with robot assistance were comparable. However, when force control was added to the robot assistance, the force was reduced significantly. The study concluded that while robot assistance could potentially increase the interaction between the surgical tool and the eye, adding a force control method could reduce the force applied to safer levels than manual surgery. This finding is important for the future of eye surgery, as robots could provide a safer and more precise method for these procedures.

FAQs

  1. What was the main purpose of the study conducted on retinal surgeries in rabbits?
  2. How does the force applied during manual surgery compare to robot-assisted surgery with and without force control?
  3. What potential benefits could robot-assisted surgery with force control bring to the future of eye surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about retinal surgery is to follow all post-operative instructions carefully, including taking any prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and avoiding activities that could put strain on the eyes. It is also important to report any unusual symptoms or changes in vision to the doctor immediately. Additionally, maintaining overall eye health through regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle can help support the success of the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended for retinal surgery include those with conditions such as retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, diabetic retinopathy, and other retinal disorders that require surgical intervention. Patients who have not responded to other treatments or have a high risk of vision loss may also be considered for retinal surgery. Additionally, patients who have experienced trauma to the eye or have complications from previous eye surgeries may benefit from retinal surgery. The use of robots in retinal surgery, as seen in the study mentioned above, may offer a safer and more precise option for patients undergoing these procedures.

Timeline

Before retinal surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes a consultation with an ophthalmologist to discuss the need for retinal surgery and the potential risks and benefits.
  2. Pre-operative tests such as imaging scans and blood tests may be conducted to assess the patient’s eye health.
  3. The patient may be instructed to stop taking certain medications or to fast before the surgery.
  4. On the day of the surgery, the patient will be prepped for the procedure and given anesthesia to numb the eye.

After retinal surgery:

  1. The patient will be monitored in a recovery area immediately after the surgery to ensure there are no complications.
  2. The patient may experience some discomfort, redness, and swelling in the eye following the surgery.
  3. The ophthalmologist will provide post-operative instructions on how to care for the eye and any medications that need to be taken.
  4. The patient will have follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist to monitor the healing process and assess the success of the surgery.
  5. It may take several weeks or months for the vision to fully improve after retinal surgery, depending on the individual case.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is retinal surgery and why is it necessary?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications of retinal surgery?
  3. How experienced are you in performing retinal surgery?
  4. Can you explain the different techniques used in retinal surgery, including manual surgery and robot-assisted surgery?
  5. How does the use of a robot assist in retinal surgery?
  6. What is force control in robot-assisted retinal surgery and how does it help reduce force applied to the eye?
  7. What are the benefits of using a robot in retinal surgery compared to manual surgery?
  8. Are there any specific criteria that make a patient a good candidate for robot-assisted retinal surgery?
  9. What is the success rate of robot-assisted retinal surgery compared to manual surgery?
  10. What is the recovery process like after robot-assisted retinal surgery?

Reference

Authors: Urias MG, Patel N, Ebrahimi A, Iordachita I, Gehlbach PL. Journal: Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2020 Sep 1;9(10):2. doi: 10.1167/tvst.9.10.2. eCollection 2020 Sep. PMID: 32953242