Beijing, Jan 21 (NationPress) A group of researchers from China has successfully engineered a cutting-edge autonomous robotic system capable of executing intricate eye injections within the limited confines of the human eye.

The surgical robot, created by a team at the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, holds the potential to significantly improve the accuracy and safety of procedures aimed at addressing serious retinal conditions, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

In a study published in the journal Science Robotics, the researchers shared that the robot achieved a flawless performance in subretinal and intravascular injections during animal testing.

Conducting eye surgery, especially on the retina, presents considerable challenges due to the organ's delicate and minute structures.

This innovative system employs a range of algorithms for 3D spatial awareness, cross-scale precision positioning, and trajectory management to direct a robotic arm.

In trials involving eyeball phantoms, ex vivo porcine, and in vivo animal eyeballs, the autonomous robot notably decreased average positioning errors by nearly 80% when compared to traditional manual surgery.

Additionally, the errors were reduced by approximately 55% in comparison to surgeries conducted with surgeon-controlled robotic systems, as stated by the research team.

"These findings illustrate the clinical viability of an autonomous intraocular microsurgical robot and its capacity to improve injection accuracy, safety, and reliability," the researchers noted.

"An autonomous system like this could enhance surgical reliability and safety, while also shortening the training duration for surgeons," they added.

Moreover, this advancement could facilitate complex eye procedures in remote regions or harsh environments where specialized surgeons are not available.

In November 2025, Xinhua reported that a Chinese medical team executed a revolutionary remote robotic eye surgery, utilizing a 5G-connected robot to treat a patient over 4,000 kilometers away.

The procedure, involving a retinal injection executed with micron-level accuracy, marked a notable milestone in using technology to address the medical resource disparity between developed coastal areas and remote regions.

After the robot in Urumqi positioned the microscopic needle on the patient's eye, surgeons in Guangzhou took over remote control. They directed the needle to the surface of the retina, punctured it to a specified depth, and administered the medication.

The total duration of the remote surgery was less than seven minutes, with a stable network connection and the robot operating smoothly without any tremors.