The cornea is found on the outermost layer of the
eye and is involved in focusing vision. Reportedly
more than 15 million people currently require cornea
transplants but the tissue is in short supply. The new
technology involves the printing of a 'bio-ink' created
from stem cells. Using a 3D bio-printer, this 'ink' can
be used to create a scaffolding on which a usable
cornea can be developed.
"Our 3D printed corneas will now have to undergo
further testing and it will be several years before we
could be in the position where we are using them for
transplants," reports Professor Che Connon, who led
the project.
"However, what we have shown is that it is feasible
to print corneas using coordinates taken from a
patient eye and that this approach has potential to
combat the worldwide shortage."
ISSUE 110 / 2018
TECHNOLOGY
In a potential breakthrough for
treating millions of visually-
impaired patients worldwide,
researchers at Newcastle
University have developed the
first-ever 3D-printed human
corneas.
16
3D-PRINTED
CORNEAS COULD
RESTORE SIGHT
TO MILLIONS
