Papers
18
Total Citations
628
H-Index
11
About
Maarten Beelen is a pioneering researcher at the forefront of robotic vitreoretinal surgery, dedicated to transforming the precision and safety of delicate eye procedures that push the boundaries of human capability. His work spans surgical robotics, retinal vein occlusion treatment, and intraocular drug delivery, establishing him as a leading figure in next-generation ophthalmic surgery. Beelen's most celebrated contribution is his involvement in the first-in-human study of intraocular robotic surgery (2018, 215 citations), a landmark achievement demonstrating that robot-assisted procedures within the eye are both safe and viable. Building on this foundation, he pioneered robotic cannulation of occluded retinal veins in porcine models and advanced the treatment of retinal vein occlusion — a leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50 — through direct intraluminal injection of ocriplasmin. His 2021 first-in-human robot-assisted subretinal drug delivery study (67 citations) further showcased robotics' potential for accessing previously unreachable anatomical targets. Through randomized controlled trials comparing robotic and manual techniques for membrane peeling procedures, Beelen has rigorously validated robotic surgery's clinical feasibility. His cumulative body of work, totaling over 580 citations, has fundamentally shaped the evidence base for surgical robotics in ophthalmology.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1First-in-human study of the safety and viability of intraocular robotic surgery215 citations · 2018
- 2Robotic Assisted Cannulation of Occluded Retinal Veins89 citations · 2016
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- 7Robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery27 citations · 2012
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- 9Robot assistance for micrometer precision in vitreoretinal surgery24 citations · 2013
- 10Robot-Assisted Retinal Surgery: Overcoming Human Limitations15 citations · 2019