ForSight Robotics, a developer of robotic surgery platforms for ophthalmic procedures, announced the completion of a $125 million Series B funding round. The company's ORYOM™ Platform is designed for cataract and other eye surgeries, aiming to improve surgical precision and patient access while reducing surgeon workload.
The round was led by Eclipse. Participating investors included an undisclosed strategic investor, Dr. Fred Moll, the Adani Group, and Reiya Ventures, along with existing investors. This brings ForSight Robotics' total funding to $195 million.
The global vision crisis, characterized by over one billion people suffering from preventable vision impairment and a shrinking ophthalmologist workforce, creates significant market demand. Globally, there are only 31.7 ophthalmologists per million population and 14.1 cataract surgeons per million population. By 2035, a 12% decline in ophthalmologists is projected, while demand is expected to increase by 24%. Over 600 million people suffer from cataracts, yet only 30 million receive surgical treatment annually.
The funding will support the company's next growth phase, including the launch of first-in-human clinical trials for robotic cataract surgery this year. The ORYOM™ Platform utilizes AI-based algorithms, advanced computer vision, and micromechanics to provide enhanced dexterity and maneuverability during surgery. It is designed to access all areas of the human eye, enabling procedures in both anterior and posterior segments. The platform's capabilities extend beyond cataract surgery, laying the groundwork for future applications in glaucoma and retinal surgery.
"We see ophthalmology as the next frontier in the robotics revolution – much like general surgery was before the rise of Intuitive Surgical. With a comparable market size and an urgent global need, our opportunity ahead is immense," commented Dr. Joseph Nathan, co-founder, president, and Chief Medical Officer at ForSight Robotics. ForSight Robotics has achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification and has expanded its team to over 110 employees. Over two dozen ophthalmic surgeons have conducted hundreds of procedures using the ORYOM™ Platform on animal eye models.
ForSight is competiting with Intuitive Surgical, a leader in robotic surgery across various specialties, and Johnson & Johnson, which offers a range of ophthalmic surgical devices and technologies. Other companies are also developing robotic systems for ophthalmic procedures.
