In ophthalmology, the term "heads-up surgery" is used to describe microsurgical procedures performed by viewing the microscopic image on a panel display sent from a 3D camera instead of looking at the eyepieces of the microscope. This technique provides a more ergonomic and physiologic position, reducing fatigue and eliminating constraints imposed by the standard surgical operating binocular microscope without affecting image quality or technical difficulty. Multiple colleagues can share the ultra-high-resolution view of the surgeon, potentially aiding in surgical teaching.
The heads-up technique provides superior ergonomics over traditional surgery, and it is not more difficult to perform. Additionally, the brightness of the surgical field can be superior to traditional surgery without exposing the retina to additional light. The electronic amplification of the camera's signal to increase brightness may be helpful in situations of vitreous haemorrhages, opaque media, or darkly pigmented fundi.
