- Over the past few years, there has been increased interest in using 3D printing in healthcare.
- 3D printing is already being used for certain implants and prosthetics, with research looking at using the technology to create human organs and tissues as well as drugs.
- Now, scientists have presented research showcasing how 3D printing could be used in eye care.
In recent years, the use of
3D printing has already been used for creating certain
Now, scientists from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, recently presented research during the ARVO 2023 Annual Meeting showcasing how 3D printing could potentially be used in eye care.
Potential 3D printing applications included ocular drug delivery, biodegradable contact lenses, and a 3D bioprinted eye model that could be used to test drugs delivered through the eye.
The findings haven’t been published yet in a peer-reviewed journal.
Unlike a standard printer that prints words and photos onto a flat sheet of paper, 3D printing creates an actual three-dimensional item.
The 3D printer does this by using “printing” layers of material. These layers continue to build and shape into the object it is printing. Because of this, 3D printing is considered an additive technology.
A variety of materials including plastics, metals, composites, and ceramics can be used to 3D print objects.
For 3D printing medical devices, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) currently
According to Dr. Alex Hui, the head of biosciences at the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, the key benefit of 3D printing is flexibility.
“3D printing opens new avenues for rapid, on-demand, and custom…
Read the full article here