Eye surgery robotics workshop coming to New Orleans. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Medevise Consulting will host an ophthalmic robotics workshop Oct. 8 in New Orleans. * At least six companies are developing surgical robots specifically for ophthalmology. * Speakers will examine robotics, AI imaging, microrobotics and virtual reality training. * Regulatory approval and reimbursement barriers will be key topics at the event. Medical technology consulting firm Medevise Consulting will bring surgical robotics developers, regulatory experts and ophthalmologists together in New Orleans on Oct. 8 to examine the emerging use of robotics in eye surgery and the challenges of bringing the technology into widespread clinical use. The "Robotics in Ophthalmology" workshop will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites New Orleans as the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 2026 annual meeting gets underway. The program will focus on whether robotic systems can improve upon current surgical techniques and what developers must overcome to gain regulatory approval, secure insurance reimbursement and encourage adoption by surgeons and health systems. Ophthalmologists have experimented with robotic-assisted surgery for more than a decade, including the use of an adapted da Vinci surgical system for corneal transplantation and the Preceyes robot for intraocular procedures in humans. At least six companies are now developing surgical robots specifically for ophthalmology, according to Medevise. The workshop will feature representatives from companies developing surgical robotics, artificial intelligence imaging, virtual reality training and other technologies. Marc de Smet, founder of the MicroInvasive Ocular Surgery Center and a participant in the first study of robotic eye surgery in humans, will discuss lessons from early efforts to introduce robotics into ophthalmology. JP Hubschman, CEO of Horizon Surgical Systems, will address the current state of the industry and challenges ahead. Horizon is developing its Polaris robotic platform for ophthalmic surgery. Other speakers will discuss adaptable surgical robots, microrobotics, the use of 4D and artificial intelligence imaging in surgical planning and virtual reality training. The program will conclude with a discussion of regulatory and financial barriers to commercialization. Malvina Eydelman, CEO of Salution Nexus and former director of an ophthalmic and other medical device office at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will discuss the FDA's approach to robotics. Kevin J. Corcoran, principal of Corcoran Consulting Group, will address coding and reimbursement for robotic procedures. "Robotics has the potential to change how we operate on the eye, but good engineering alone won't get it into the operating room. This workshop brings together the people building these systems and the people who decide whether they reach patients: regulators, reimbursement experts, and innovators. We want an honest conversation about what it will really take," Medevise Consulting President Kristine Morrill said. The event is geared toward ophthalmic surgeons, medical technology executives, investors and developers working in surgical robotics and advanced eye care technology. Medevise Consulting is based in Strasbourg, France, and advises medical device and pharmaceutical companies on clinical, regulatory and commercialization strategies, with a particular focus on ophthalmology.

Medevise Consulting to host "robotics in Ophthalmology" Workshop during AAO. Key Takeaways * Medevise Consulting will host an ophthalmic surgical robotics workshop October 8 during AAO 2026 in New Orleans * Speakers will examine current and emerging technologies, including surgical robots, microrobotics, AI-enabled imaging, and virtual reality training * The program will also address FDA and EU regulatory considerations and reimbursement issues that could affect adoption of ophthalmic robotic systems Medevise Consulting announced it will be hosting "Robotics in Ophthalmology: What it takes to create a game changing technology" on October 8, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in New Orleans at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting. Ophthalmologists have been experimenting with robotic assistance in eye surgery for more than a decade. Early milestones include the adaptation of a da Vinci system for corneal transplantation and the first intraocular procedures in humans performed using the Preceyes robot. According to Medevise, today at least six companies are developing ophthalmic surgical robots, including Horizon Surgical Systems with its Polaris Platform. The workshop will address the central questions facing the field: can these technologies leapfrog the current standard of care? And what will it take to get there, given that other approaches have failed to replace established systems? Regulatory and reimbursement in the spotlight The evening will end with a "Reality Check" session on the hurdles every surgical robot must clear before it reaches patients. * Malvina Eydelman, MD, CEO of Salution Nexus and former Director of the FDA's Office of Health Technology, Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, & Dental Devices, will explain how the FDA views robotics. * Kevin J. Corcoran, Principal of Corcoran Consulting Group and a leading authority on ophthalmic coding and reimbursement, will map out the reimbursement landscape for surgical robots. * Marc de Smet, MD, PhD, Founder of MicroInvasive Ocular Surgery Center (MIOS) and a pioneer of robot-assisted intraocular surgery, will speak in the opening section. His talk titled "Lessons learned and where do we go from here?" draws on his role in the first robotic eye surgery study in humans. Section 1: Current State * Welcome and introduction of faculty: Kristine Morrill, President, Medevise Consulting (Moderator) * Where Eyewire is today and what are the challenges ahead?: JP Hubschman, MD, CEO, Horizon Surgical Systems * Lessons learned and where do Eyewire go from here?: Marc de Smet, MD, PhD, Founder, MIOS Section 2: Future State * How do Eyewire make surgical robots agile and adaptable?: Ben Ko, CEO, Kaleidoscope Innovation * Visionary thinking: Are micro-robots the game changing technology?: Remy Tribhout, CEO, Phigi * The role of 4D/AI imaging in robotic surgical planning: Luc Soler, CEO, Visible Patient * How virtual reality training software can advance robotics outcomes: Pierre-Jean Bensoussan, CEO, InSimo (developer of the HelpMeSee simulator) Section 3: Reality Check, Regulatory and Reimbursement * How does the FDA view robotics?: Malvina Eydelman, MD, CEO, Salution Nexus * The EU regulatory view: Kristine Morrill, Medevise Consulting * The reimbursement landscape for surgical robots: Kevin J. Corcoran, Principal, Corcoran Consulting Group Each section ends with a moderated discussion, and the evening closes with a panel discussion that will include audience participation. "Robotics has the potential to change how we operate on the eye, but good engineering alone won't get it into the operating room. This workshop brings together the people building these systems and the people who decide whether they reach patients: regulators, reimbursement experts, and innovators. We want an honest conversation about what it will really take," said Kristine Morrill, President of Medevise Consulting. The workshop is aimed at ophthalmic surgeons, industry executives, investors, and innovators working in surgical robotics and advanced ophthalmic technologies. It will be held at the Embassy Suites New Orleans. Details and registration are available at www.medevise-events.com.