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Using a Smartphone 3-Dimensional Surface Imaging Technique to Manufacture Custom 3-Dimensional-Printed Eyeglasses
Alejandra G de Alba Campomanes1,2,3, Elana Meer3, Matthew Clarke2
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco.
JAMA Ophthalmology
|September 1, 2022
Summary
Custom 3D-printed glasses using smartphone 3D surface imaging (3DSI) offer a successful fit for children with craniofacial abnormalities. This accessible technology improves glasses adherence and reduces the risk of vision loss from amblyopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric patients with craniofacial abnormalities face challenges with standard glasses fit, leading to poor adherence and risk of vision loss from refractive amblyopia.
- Custom 3D-printed glasses offer potential but are limited by access to advanced imaging like MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a method utilizing smartphone 3D surface imaging (3DSI) for capturing facial anatomy to design custom-fit glasses.
- To evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of 3DSI in creating custom glasses for pediatric patients with craniofacial abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- A quality improvement study involving a case series of pediatric patients with craniofacial abnormalities.
- Comparison of key facial anatomic parameters between 3DSI scans and MRI scans.
- Assessment of glasses fit and daily adherence reported by patients, parents, or guardians.
Main Results:
- 3DSI scans demonstrated high accuracy, with key parameter measurement differences averaging 1.47 mm compared to MRI.
- All 20 pediatric patients (aged 1-17) with craniofacial abnormalities achieved a successful glasses fit with daily adherence.
- An average of 1.7 revisions were needed for custom frame production using 3DSI.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone-based 3DSI combined with 3D printing provides an accessible method for creating custom-fit glasses for patients with craniofacial anomalies.
- This imaging approach can improve glasses wearing adherence in children at risk of amblyopia-related vision loss.
