For decades, surgery has relied on flat screens, static scans and repeated glances away from the operating table.
That paradigm is now beginning to shift, with spatial computing technologies like Vision Pro FX making their way into Indian operating rooms.
According to Dr Pradeep Rao, director, urology at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, the technology marks a significant leap in how surgeons visualise anatomy and make intraoperative decisions.
“The entry of spatial computing into the operating room marks a major leap forward,” says Dr Rao. “By blending digital information into the surgeon’s field of view, Vision Pro FX helps doctors visualise data in real time without losing focus on the patient.”
One of the biggest advantages of Vision Pro FX is its ability to generate real-time 3D visualisations of organs, blood vessels and tumours. Surgeons can examine complex anatomical structures before and even during procedures, reducing reliance on mental reconstruction from two-dimensional scans.
“It allows surgeons to examine 3D models of organs and blood vessels, helping them understand complex structures more clearly and reducing guesswork,” Dr Rao explains.
This is particularly relevant in specialties such as urology, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and orthopaedics, where millimetre-level precision can determine outcomes.
Another shift is the move away from physical interaction with monitors, keyboards or paper records inside the operating theatre. Vision Pro FX allows hands-free access to scans, lab reports and surgical checklists, helping surgeons maintain sterility while staying informed.
“Surgeons can view scans or reports without turning away from the patient or touching external screens,” says Dr Rao. “This supports better focus and helps maintain sterility in the operating room.”
Beyond live procedures, the technology is increasingly being used for pre-surgical planning and simulation. Using patient-specific data, surgeons can rehearse complex procedures in a virtual environment before stepping into the OT.
“This is especially useful in complex cases where accuracy is critical,” Dr Rao notes. “Being able to rehearse a procedure beforehand can significantly improve surgical confidence and outcomes.”
Vision Pro FX is also changing how young doctors learn. Instead of watching surgeries on distant screens, trainees can observe procedures from an immersive, surgeon-level perspective, while senior doctors guide them in real time. Junior doctors gain a deeper understanding compared to traditional video feeds, and senior surgeons can guide them more effectively, experts tell THE WEEK.
With multiple data streams integrated into a single visual interface, the operating room itself becomes more streamlined.
Doctors believe that this can have downstream benefits for patients as well. “Improved focus and coordination in the OT can translate into shorter recovery times and a reduced risk of complications,” says a practicing neurosurgeon from Wockhardt hospital in Mumbai.
While still in its early adoption phase, spatial computing is increasingly being viewed as a natural progression in surgical care rather than a futuristic add-on. “Vision Pro FX is transforming the operating theatre into a smarter, safer and more connected space,” Dr Rao says. “It has the potential to significantly improve precision and surgical outcomes.”
As Indian hospitals invest in advanced surgical technologies, tools like Vision Pro FX could signal a broader shift, one where surgeons no longer work around screens, but within an integrated digital environment built around the patient.
