ForSight Robotics has secured $125 million in Series B funding led by Eclipse to advance its ORYOM Platform, positioning the company to address a critical global healthcare crisis in ophthalmic surgery. The investment accelerates development of what the company describes as the world's first robotic surgery platform specifically designed for cataract and other eye diseases, with first-in-human clinical trials planned for this year.
The funding round included participation from an undisclosed strategic investor, Dr. Fred Moll (founder of Intuitive Surgical), the Adani Group, Reiya Ventures, and existing investors, bringing the company's total funding to $195 million.
Addressing a Global Vision Crisis
The investment comes as the healthcare industry faces a mounting crisis in eye care access. According to ForSight Robotics, over one billion people suffer from preventable vision impairment and avoidable blindness, while the ophthalmologist workforce continues to decline. Globally, there are only 31.7 ophthalmologists per million population and 14.1 cataract surgeons per million population.
The disparity between need and capacity is stark: over 600 million patients suffer from cataracts worldwide, yet only 30 million receive surgical treatment. In the United States alone, only four million cataract surgeries are performed annually. The situation is expected to worsen, with the industry projecting a 12% decline in ophthalmologists by 2035 while demand increases by 24%.
"We see ophthalmology as the next frontier in the robotics revolution – much like general surgery was before the rise of Intuitive Surgical," said Dr. Joseph Nathan, ForSight Robotics' co-founder, president, and Chief Medical Officer. "With a comparable market size and an urgent global need, our opportunity ahead is immense."
ORYOM Platform Technology
The ORYOM Platform is engineered for highly precise and consistent ophthalmic procedures, beginning with cataract surgery. The system utilizes AI-based algorithms, advanced computer vision, and micromechanics to deliver what the company describes as unprecedented dexterity and maneuverability while providing surgeons with an improved ergonomic experience.
A key differentiator of the platform is its ability to reach any point within the human eye, allowing surgeons to navigate complex angles and ensuring access to both anterior and posterior segments. This capability positions the technology for future applications in glaucoma and retinal surgical treatments beyond its initial focus on cataracts.
Clinical Progress and Regulatory Milestones
The Series B funding follows a period of rapid growth for the Israel-based company. Over the past year, ForSight Robotics has doubled in size, surpassing 110 employees, and achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification, a critical regulatory milestone demonstrating commitment to safety and quality standards.
To date, over two dozen ophthalmic surgeons have successfully completed hundreds of procedures on animal eye models using the ORYOM Platform. The company is now preparing to begin robotic cataract surgery clinical trials in the coming year.
Strategic Leadership and Market Positioning
ForSight Robotics has assembled notable leadership in surgical robotics, including Dr. Fred Moll, widely regarded as the "father of surgical robotics" and founder of the da Vinci surgical system, who recently joined the company's board of directors. The strategic advisory board also includes Rony Abovitz, founder of MAKO Surgical Corp.
"ForSight Robotics is at the forefront of a transformation in surgical robotics, and the potential impact of its technology on global eye care is extraordinary," said Seth Winterroth, partner at Eclipse. "The company is tapping into a massive, underserved market with a breakthrough approach to ophthalmic surgery, positioning itself to set a new standard in eye care and drive innovation on a global scale."
The company's clinical advisory board includes prominent ophthalmologists Dr. David Chang, Dr. Vance Thompson, Prof. Boris Malyugin, Dr. Sam Garg, and Dr. Modi Naftali, providing expertise as the platform advances toward clinical trials.
