In a groundbreaking medical feat, a Chinese surgical team has successfully performed a remote robotic eye surgery spanning over 4,000 kilometers, leveraging advanced 5G technology. The procedure, a retinal injection, was conducted on Sunday by surgeons in Guangzhou, who remotely controlled a robotic arm at a hospital in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This marks a significant advancement in using technology to address the disparity in medical resources between China’s developed coastal cities and its remote regions. The surgery, executed with micron-level precision, involved guiding a microscopic needle to the retina, piercing it to a predetermined depth, and administering medication. The entire process was completed in under seven minutes, with the 5G network ensuring seamless communication and the robotic arm operating without tremor. Retinal sub-injection is a highly delicate technique used to treat vision-threatening conditions like submacular hemorrhage. Dr. Lin Haotian, the project lead from Sun Yat-sen University’s Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, hailed the surgery as a pivotal step in transitioning remote high-precision ophthalmic surgery from feasibility to practicality in China. This achievement underscores the potential of 5G and robotics in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.
Chinese medical team performs remote 5G robotic eye surgery over 4,000 km away
