A New York eye surgeon has made medical history by becoming the first doctor to perform cataract surgery using Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Dr. Eric Rosenberg at SightMD completed the initial procedure in October 2025 and has since performed hundreds more cases using the mixed reality platform.
The breakthrough represents a major step forward in surgical technology, potentially changing how operations are performed, taught, and supervised worldwide. The system allows surgeons to see 3D surgical imagery while accessing patient data and connecting with remote experts in real-time.
How the mixed reality surgery works
Dr. Rosenberg used a platform called ScopeXR, which he helped develop, to stream live surgical imaging directly into the Vision Pro headset. The system connects to existing 3D surgical microscopes through standard connections like HDMI and USB, meaning hospitals don’t need major equipment overhauls to adopt it.
During surgery, doctors can view the operative field in stereoscopic 3D while simultaneously seeing surgical guides and patient diagnostic information overlaid in their field of vision. The platform maintains sterile conditions throughout the procedure.
“What we accomplished in that operating room is something that has never been done before anywhere in the world,” Dr. Rosenberg said. “This isn’t just about a new device, it’s about reimagining what the operating room of the future looks like.”
Remote collaboration transforms surgical training
One of the most significant features is the ability for expert surgeons to virtually join operations from anywhere in the world. Remote doctors can see exactly what the operating surgeon sees, including live microscope feeds and patient data, while communicating through secure audio.
This capability could be particularly valuable for:
- Training resident doctors on complex procedures
- Getting expert consultation during unexpected complications
- Reducing the number of people physically present in operating rooms
- Providing access to top specialists in underserved areas
“We are now able to bring the world’s best surgeon into any operating room, at any hour, from anywhere on the planet,” Dr. Rosenberg explained. “This technology democratizes access to expertise and that will save vision.”
Why this matters for the medical industry
The successful implementation of mixed reality in surgery addresses several key challenges in modern medicine. Surgical training traditionally requires physical presence in operating rooms, limiting learning opportunities and increasing infection risks during procedures like those performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The technology also tackles the uneven distribution of medical expertise globally. Rural hospitals and developing countries often lack access to specialists, but this system could connect local surgeons with world-class experts during critical procedures.
SightMD, one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the United States, serves patients across five states. The practice’s willingness to invest in experimental technology signals confidence that mixed reality surgery will become mainstream.
Next steps for surgical mixed reality
While the initial focus is on eye surgery, the ScopeXR platform is designed to work across different surgical specialties. The team is working on clinical research, regulatory approvals, and broader deployment to other hospitals.
The success of hundreds of procedures suggests the technology is ready for wider adoption, though regulatory hurdles and training requirements will likely slow rollout. As spatial computing technology improves and costs decrease, mixed reality surgery could become standard practice within the next decade.
The development positions both Apple’s Vision Pro and mixed reality technology more broadly as serious tools for professional applications beyond entertainment and productivity, potentially opening new markets for headset manufacturers.