Heidelberg Engineering is highlighting its FDA-cleared SeeLuma, a fully digital surgical visualization platform, and the addition of next-generation imaging technology.
This system upgrade is just one of several that the company is showcasing during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 annual meeting.
Hold up now: This isn’t a new product launch, right?
No, it’s not. In fact, SeeLuma was first introduced back in 2023 by Heidelberg and Bausch + Lomb (which is the exclusive distributor of the platform).
- To note: The platform was developed and manufactured by Munic Surgical Imaging, a subsidiary of Heidelberg.
Got it. Let’s get a rundown on it then.
SeeLuma is designed to assist ophthalmic surgeons with an advanced level of visualization in the operating room via digital and 3D technology.
Featuring fully digital binoculars, an intuitive user interface, and an “assist mode” that draws annotations and surgical information into the surgeon’s cockpit, the system also includes ergonomically designed components such as:
- Adaptive glaucoma focusing, in which the binoculars are mounted to a separate suspension arm to give surgeons more flexibility and eliminate the need for repositioning
- 3D 4K heads-up monitor with multiple digital display options
- Display options: 55-inch and 31-inch
- A C-shaped suspension arm that lets surgeons directly view the heads-up surgical monitor in front of them—without needing to strain their neck or back
So how does this ergonomic design compare to other digital microscopes?
While digital microscopes provide significant advantages over optical microscopes in terms of data sharing and connectivity (not to mention real-time viewing and image transfers)—in general, less emphasis is placed on the ergonomics factor.
Specifically: Standard digital microscopes require surgeons to operate while looking sideways at a monitor in order to perform surgery—often exerting unnecessary strain on their neck and back.
- As such: SeeLuma’s ergonomic design is a major plus.
Expand on the 3D component.
Along with the stand-mounted 3D 4K monitors, the system’s digital binoculars give surgeons the capabilities (and advantages) typically reserved for monitor-based 3D surgery:
- Enhanced depth of field
- Lower illumination levels (compared to optical systems)
- Assist Mode (mentioned earlier)
- High levels of detail and clarity (even in low light conditions)
As a bonus: Surgery can be recorded in full 3D 4K resolution and processed in an integrated video editor before being exported.
And the image quality?
Referred to as “premium,” the system’s color reproduction, contrast and resolution, and 9x depth of field enhancer are designed to give surgeons “cinematographic-quality visualization,” according to its product brochure.
And as far as imaging data goes: SeeLuma lets surgeons have 100% control over all data as well as digital tools for addressing anatomical structures—highlighted even further with a digital filter module—viewing digital markers, and allowing for machine learning applications.
Is it compatible with other surgical instruments and equipment?
According to Heidelberg, the platform is compatible with all Oculus BIOM 5 to automatically adapt parameters such as:
- Zoom
- Focus speed
- White balance
- Image inversion
- Footswitch layouts
Alrighty, now to those recent updates.
To start: Heidelberg announced an intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) module that will be available as an optional add-on for the platform
The basis for this: Next-generation swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) technology
- And the intent: To enable “enhanced diagnostic image quality” expected to surpass those seen in similar technologies on the market—complete with:
- A scan depth of up to 20 mm
- Real-time imaging capabilities
Go on …
The company is also debuting a few new imaging enhancement tool features—all of which are available as a free update for existing SeeLuma customers.
- Contrast enhancement function for improving image quality and visualization of anatomical structures
- Enhanced visibility in darker peripheral regions via a dedicated setting for posterior segment surgeons
- Sharpness filter for a clearer display of fine anatomical details
- Digital zoom to expand zoom range by 50% while preserving depth of field
- On-screen indicators that display both focus and lateral positioning of the microscope head within its available range
What else?
Three additional features include:
- An updated focus aid to support faster and easier focusing
- Refinements to the system’s user interface to enable more customization options
- Expanded video recording functionality for digital overlays (such as annotations and surgical images)
Nice! Do we know when these new features will be available?
That’s a great question—reach out to Heidelberg or Bausch + Lomb (the exclusive distributor of SeeLuma) for the latest details.
And if you’re attending the 2024 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah (May 4-8), stop by booth #1201 to speak with a representative.