From Breakthrough Science to Surgical Readiness

From Breakthrough Science to Surgical Readiness

When a therapy is recognized at the highest level of scientific achievement, it reflects more than innovation, it resets expectations for patient care. The gene therapy behind Luxturna® represents exactly that kind of shift, targeting the genetic root of disease to restore critical function in the visual cycle and improve vision for patients facing progressive sight loss.

But as treatments become more precise and complex, the demands placed on clinicians increase just as quickly.

Subretinal delivery is not a routine procedure. It requires a high degree of technical accuracy, is performed in a limited number of centers, and offers few opportunities for repetition. As a result, the challenge is no longer just innovation, it is ensuring clinicians are consistently prepared to deliver these therapies safely and effectively.

This is where training must evolve.

Fundamental XR has played a direct role in supporting this shift, developing a HapticVR simulation designed specifically for subretinal gene therapy delivery. Built in collaboration with clinical experts, the platform breaks the procedure down into structured, repeatable steps and enables realistic, two-person surgical training aligned with how the therapy is delivered in practice.

Since its introduction, this approach has been deployed globally, supporting clinicians across 5 continents and more than 25 countries with training integrated into certification, education, and ongoing skills development.

The value is not theoretical. It is practical.

Simulation enables precision through high-fidelity environments, repetition without patient risk, and access that is no longer limited by geography or case volume. It allows clinicians to build familiarity with complex procedures in a way traditional models cannot easily scale all while delivering a clear return on investment for institutions seeking to standardise training.

As breakthrough therapies continue to emerge, the expectation is clear: innovation in treatment must be matched by innovation in training.

The future of ophthalmic care will not depend solely on what is possible in science, but on how effectively clinicians around the world are prepared to deliver on that promise.

Read more at The Guardian