Application of 3-dimensional printing technology to construct an eye model for fundus viewing study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate eye models are crucial for simulating visual perception and testing ophthalmic devices.
• Existing eye models may not fully replicate the optical complexities of the human eye, limiting their research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a life-sized physical eye model using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.
• To evaluate the optical performance and accuracy of the 3D printed eye model for fundus viewing research.

Main Methods:

• A schematic eye model was designed based on Navarro's model, with modifications for corneal material and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
• Computer-aided design (CAD) software was used to create a 3D digital model for printing the physical eye structure.
• The physical model was assembled with a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) aspherical cornea, variable iris, IOLs, and angle scale bars; models for ametropia were also fabricated.

Main Results:

• The 3D printed schematic eye model demonstrated comparable on-axis spot diagram size to existing models and significantly reduced spherical aberration.
• Off-axis simulations showed slightly increased coma but similar astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion compared to other models.
• Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) curves indicated resolution diminished with the field of view, similar to the Navarro eye model; measured parameters for ametropic models matched theoretical values.

Conclusions:

• The designed schematic eye model effectively simulates human eye optical performance.
• The fabricated 3D printed physical eye model serves as a valuable tool for fundus viewing research and system development.