By Linda Conlin, Pro to Pro Managing Editor
What if intraocular lens implants (IOLs) could be customized for each individual patient? Researchers at University of East Anglia UK see this on the horizon with the introduction of a novel resin for 3D printing intraocular devices. IOLs are primarily used to replace the crystalline lens in cataract surgery, but also can be used to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. Lead author Dr. Aram Saeed, Associate Professor in Healthcare Technologies at UEA's School of Pharmacy, said: "For the first time, we have developed a resin that can be used to print ocular devices directly. While still in the early stages, the ability to 3D print these lenses could significantly enhance eye care for patients by offering unprecedented levels of customization and design precision, potentially leading to better clinical outcomes." (University of East Anglia. "Innovative 3D printing could revolutionize treatment for cataracts and other eye conditions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 May 2024. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240520122828.htm.)
Current IOLs use lathing and molding techniques with hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic materials due to their optical clarity, flexibility, biocompatibility, and for their stability and safety within the eye. The result is high-quality optical devices; however, the process limits custom and complex designs. Highly customized lenses could not only correct vision but also enhance it. In a study, lenses 3D printed with the new resin have good optical clarity, can be folded, and implanted into the lens capsule bag.
The team sees potential advantages to 3D printed IOLs as lenses customized to each patient's eye shape and vision needs, potentially improving vision correction and comfort. It could create intricate lens shapes that were previously difficult to manufacture to better address a wider range of vision problems. 3D printing also has the potential to enable quicker design, testing, and manufacturing of lenses, possibly reducing the cost. 3D printing also allows for the development of new materials with improved optical performance. What’s more, the researchers hope that combining 3D printing with advanced imaging technologies in the future could help produce lenses that fit individual patients' eyes optimally, reducing the need for adjustments or complications after surgery.
The researchers received a US patent and further work is underway to ensure the process works accurately on a larger scale, and to increase the printing resolution to improve the dimensional accuracy. It is hoped that clinical trials could start in the next few years. They also believe that the new technology could enable portable manufacturing that would be especially beneficial in remote and economically disadvantaged areas.