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Published on: June 10, 2014
Revolutionizing vision using corneal 3D printing
Bowen Zhang1, F A Dain Md Opo2, Daniel Nahra3
1Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK; School of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China; National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China.
None:
Corneal diseases remain a leading cause of blindness, and corneal transplantation is the primary treatment for severe cases. However, the persistent shortage of donor corneas significantly limits this approach. Artificial corneas with engineered biomaterials designed to mimic the structure and function of native corneal tissue offer a promising alternative, and significant progress has been made, including FDA approval and clinical trials. Among emerging technologies, 3D printing enables personalized customization of implants tailored to patient needs, anatomy, and pathology. This method also enables precise control over the biomaterial composition and integration of living cells within the implant, enhancing post-transplantation regeneration. In this review, we examine the advancements in 3D-printed, proregenerative artificial corneas, focusing on innovative biofabrication and the challenges that remain in ensuring implant quality.
