Real-time fundus reconstruction and intraocular mapping using an ophthalmic endoscope

Intraoperative adaptive eye model based on instrument-integrated OCT for robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery

PURPOSE

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is the most common surgical procedure performed by retinal specialists, highlighting the need for model-based assistance and automation in surgical treatment. An intraoperative retinal model provides precise anatomical information relative to the surgical instrument, enhancing surgical precision and safety.

METHODS

This work focuses on the intraoperative parametrization of retinal shape using 1D instrument-integrated optical coherence tomography distance measurements combined with a surgical robot. Our approach accommodates variability in eye geometries by transitioning from an initial spherical model to an ellipsoidal representation, improving accuracy as more data is collected through sensor motion.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that ellipsoid fitting outperforms sphere fitting for regular eye shapes, achieving a mean absolute error of less than 40  μ m in simulation and below 200  μ m on 3D printed models and ex vivo porcine eyes. The model reliably transitions from a spherical to an ellipsoidal representation across all six tested eye shapes when specific criteria are satisfied.

CONCLUSION

The adaptive eye model developed in this work meets the accuracy requirements for clinical application in PPV within the central retina. Additionally, the global model effectively extrapolates beyond the scanned area to encompass the retinal periphery.This capability enhances PPV procedures, particularly through virtual boundary assistance and improved surgical navigation, ultimately contributing to safer surgical outcomes.

Applications of artificial intelligence-enabled robots and chatbots in ophthalmology: recent advances and future trends

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and chatbots have brought these technologies to the forefront of medicine, particularly ophthalmology. These technologies have been applied in diagnosis, prognosis, surgical operations, and patient-specific care in ophthalmology. It is thus both timely and pertinent to assess the existing landscape, recent advances, and trajectory of trends of AI, AI-enabled robots, and chatbots in ophthalmology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Some recent developments have integrated AI enabled robotics with diagnosis, and surgical procedures in ophthalmology. More recently, large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have shown promise in augmenting research capabilities and diagnosing ophthalmic diseases. These developments may portend a new era of doctor-patient-machine collaboration.

SUMMARY

Ophthalmology is undergoing a revolutionary change in research, clinical practice, and surgical interventions. Ophthalmic AI-enabled robotics and chatbot technologies based on LLMs are converging to create a new era of digital ophthalmology. Collectively, these developments portend a future in which conventional ophthalmic knowledge will be seamlessly integrated with AI to improve the patient experience and enhance therapeutic outcomes.