Scientists at the Universty of Newcastle have made a break through in treating blindness with the first 3D printing of corneas. Corneal blindness most commonly occures due to Trachoma and also by physical damage of the cornea or less common diseases. Those affected are not born blind, and sadly this technique cannot help those that are.
Trachoma is an infection of the eye by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This caues the inside of the eyelid to roughen scarring the cornea until the eye blinds and the eyelids and eyelashes turn inwards. A disease of developing countries, there may be up to 10 million people blinded by Trachoma. Teatment before blindness is possible through antibiotics.
Physical damage of the cornea can be caused by burns, chemicals, injuries etc. An issue afectingmillions of people. The lack of corneal donors means that few of these people can ever get thier vision back.
The scientists at Newcastle University created a gel that can hold corneal stem cells, be squeezed out of the fine tube, set and allow the stem cells to grow. In addition the gel is stiff enough to keep its shape when squeezed out to allow the creation of 3D shapes.You could also scan the recipients eye and model the new cornea on that, assuring a perfect fit.
The resulting 3D printed corneas are a revolution in technique. They are not ready yet for use in people, but in a few more years the corneal shortage will have an end in sight.