AI Helps London Surgeons Protect a Patient's Sight
Surgeons in London have used artificial intelligence during a live brain operation to help protect a patient's eyesight. University College London Hospitals (UCLH) shared the news in late August 2026, describing it as the first live AI-assisted brain surgery, according to Euronews.
The patient, Rhys Hibbert, 48, from Bedfordshire, had a tumor on his pituitary gland that threatened his vision. That gland sits tightly against the blood vessels and nerves that control sight, so a single millimeter can matter. During the operation at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the AI read the live surgical video in real time and highlighted key structures at the base of the brain. It helped the team spot risky areas to avoid while removing as much of the tumor as safely possible. The surgeons stayed in full control the whole time, TNW reported.
A team at University College London built the system in-house, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research funded the operation as part of a clinical trial. Technical lead Dr. Sophia Bano, an associate professor in robotics and AI at UCL, said the system learned from hundreds of surgical videos.
The surgery took place in May. Hibbert, who volunteered for the research, said that when he woke up he could see everything in the room clearly, and he went back to work within weeks. Researchers say the tool could later track surgical instruments and give surgeons feedback during complex operations. The trial's size and full results have not been released yet.
One man's clear view of a hospital room may help light the way for many future patients.
