This study explores the transformative potential of integrating augmented reality (AR) into imaging technologies, highlighting its growing prominence in healthcare. Through a comprehensive narrative review, the research uncovers the intersection between AR and medical imaging, emphasizing its opportunities to enhance surgical precision, patient engagement, and customized medical interventions. When combined with technologies like virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, AR opens new avenues for innovation in clinical practice, education, and training. However, the study also identifies numerous unanswered questions and areas ripe for exploration, such as the need for rigorous research to elucidate the clinical efficacy of AR-integrated interventions, optimize surgical workflows, and address technological challenges. The study underscores the importance of sustained research efforts to fully realize AR’s transformative impact in medical imaging, particularly in the context of regulatory and developmental factors, including compliance with standards, safety regulations, risk management, clinical validation, and developmental processes. Collaboration across disciplines is essential to navigate the regulatory approval process and overcome barriers to entry for smaller innovators. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to address the challenges and fully leverage the potential of AR in healthcare.This study explores the transformative potential of integrating augmented reality (AR) into imaging technologies, highlighting its growing prominence in healthcare. Through a comprehensive narrative review, the research uncovers the intersection between AR and medical imaging, emphasizing its opportunities to enhance surgical precision, patient engagement, and customized medical interventions. When combined with technologies like virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, AR opens new avenues for innovation in clinical practice, education, and training. However, the study also identifies numerous unanswered questions and areas ripe for exploration, such as the need for rigorous research to elucidate the clinical efficacy of AR-integrated interventions, optimize surgical workflows, and address technological challenges. The study underscores the importance of sustained research efforts to fully realize AR’s transformative impact in medical imaging, particularly in the context of regulatory and developmental factors, including compliance with standards, safety regulations, risk management, clinical validation, and developmental processes. Collaboration across disciplines is essential to navigate the regulatory approval process and overcome barriers to entry for smaller innovators. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to address the challenges and fully leverage the potential of AR in healthcare.