begun using 8K have found it promising for
complex minimally invasive procedures. In
2018, researchers from Tokyo developed a
lightweight 8K ultra-high-definition micro-
scopic camera that was used to simulate oph-
thalmic surgery in pig cadaver eyes. The
authors of the study noted that the 8K images
could "increase quantity and quality of micro-
scopic digital images on the monitor, and the
8K UHD images are equivalent to real micro-
scopic observation through eyepieces
(osmag.net/KU2ssK)."
With 8K television already popping up on
the consumer market, it's likely only a matter
of time before it hits ORs across the U.S., says
Dr. Grossmann. Despite this, it may take a
while before it fully catches on in surgery,
especially as facilities are still working to
upgrade their current systems to the latest 4K
technologies.
"For most procedures, 4K is very good," he
says. "I think doubling the resolution may
make things look crisper, but the question will
be how much of a difference does that really
make? It may look incredible, but when you're
obtaining information from that image, I'm not
sure that it will make a huge difference, espe-
cially when you take into account the higher
price."
Dr. Bederson welcomes the idea of
A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 7
