Study: Vision Pro cuts tear duct surgery by up to 19%

During tear duct surgery, surgeons wear Apple's Vision Pro instead of regular displays. In a study by the University of California, San Diego, operating time for this procedure was reduced by up to 19%. The study compared 32 operations: 16 with the headset and 16 using conventional displays.

In dacryocystorhinostomy, a procedure involving the tear duct, doctors treat inflammation of the lacrimal sac, which can obstruct tear drainage. To do so, they create an artificial connection between the nasal cavity and the lacrimal sac. The Vision Pro can provide immersive surgical visualization. According to the researchers, cognitive load was lower, while posture and ergonomics improved.

The potential effect goes beyond speed: According to the study, complications during and after surgery could potentially be reduced by up to 100%. The study was peer-reviewed and published in the journal AJO International. However, its findings remain limited to this specific endoscopic procedure.

In practical terms, the headset could mean that visualization takes up less space in the operating room and that surgeons can work in a more comfortable position. For patients, the potential benefits are shorter procedures and fewer complications—but for now, these are findings from this study, not a general promise for every operation.

The study also considered the costs low: Analyst Horace Dediu estimated them in the operating room at approximately 1% of the cost of conventional visualization systems. For end users, the Vision Pro currently costs around 4,000 euros. Such procedures are generally possible in the United States; in Europe, approvals are still lacking outside studies or veterinary procedures. Medical technology company Stryker has also introduced a visionOS application for hip arthroscopy.