ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

World’s first 3-D printed prosthetic eye implanted in British patient

The technology can slash waiting time for prosthetic eyes from months to weeks.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
November 26, 2021 - Updated on November 28, 2021
in Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Steve Verze, seen here in a photograph. Credit: Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre.

Doctors at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London made history today after they performed a surgery in which they fitted the first fully digitally created 3D printed eye. The 3D-printed prosthetic eye looks more realistic than traditional acrylic implants and the 3-D manufacturing process greatly shortens the waiting time from a couple of months to only 2-3 weeks.

The lucky recipient is Steve Verze, an engineer in his 40s from Hackney, east London.

“I’ve needed a prosthetic since I was 20, and I’ve always felt self-conscious about it. When I leave my home I often take a second glance in the mirror, and I’ve not liked what I’ve seen. This new eye looks fantastic and, being based on 3D digital printing technology, it’s only going to get better and better,” said Steve.

When a person needs an eye prosthetic, either because the eye didn’t develop normally from birth or because of some accident, typically the eye socket has to be molded in order to create a cast for the new prosthetic. That’s because every eye socket is unique, and an eye prosthetic is definitely something you want to fit tightly and never drop out.

But with 3D printing, the invasive molding of the socket is no longer required. Instead, a device scans and maps the structure of the socket. In fact, both eye sockets are scanned in order to create a perfect match. The digital 3D model is then sent to a lab in Germany, where it takes only 2.5 hours to print before being shipped back to Moorfields where the eye is finished, polished, and fitted.

From start to finish, the entire process takes only two to three weeks, compared to the months it takes going down the traditional route.

“We are excited about the potential for this fully digital prosthetic eye. We hope the forthcoming clinical trial will provide us with robust evidence about the value of this new technology, showing what a difference it makes for patients. It clearly has the potential to reduce waiting lists,” said Professor Mandeep Sagoo, the clinical lead at Moorfields Eye Hospital for the trial of the new prosthetic eye and Professor of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology at University College London.

RelatedPosts

Don’t skip breakfast if you want to prevent heart disease
Japanese builder-bot offers glimpse into the construction site of the future
Mysterious collapse of massive Tibetan glacier now attributed to global warming, scientists say
This mammoth overlapped with the earliest human settlers of Alaska. Its tusk tells an important story

Steve is the first recipient of a 3D printed eye prosthetic among humans, but not the first overall. That distinction belongs to two beagles who were fitted with a low-cost personalized artificial eye for canines by scientists at Chungbuk National University in South Korea.

The new prosthetic eye is classed as a ‘biomimicking’ device, meaning it is based on nature and more closely resembles a real eye. For instance, it has a clearer definition and the pupil has depth, making the prosthetic look more ‘real’ when it is hit by light. Traditional eye prosthetics have the iris hand-painted onto a disc embedded into the eye, which prevents the light from passing deep through the eye. In other words, the new prosthetic looks less like a prosthetic, which is exactly what you want from such an implant.

However, the 3D-printed eye is not bionic, which involves implanting electromechanical parts. Examples of bionic prosthetics include mechanical arms or legs that are controlled by the patient’s thoughts through a brain-computer interface. Only a few years ago, the world hailed the first bionic eye, a groundbreaking retinal prosthesis called the Argus II, meant for people with impaired vision. It enables people blinded by retinitis pigmentosa to see shapes, movement and — maybe someday soon — color.

Combining bionic vision technology with this new method for 3D-printed prosthetic eyes could provide the best of both worlds.

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Culture & Society

What’s Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction and How Not to Fall into Its Trap

byAlexandra Gerea
1 day ago
Mind & Brain

Why a 20-Minute Nap Could Be Key to Unlocking ‘Eureka!’ Moments Like Salvador Dalí

byTibi Puiu
1 day ago
Anthropology

The world’s oldest boomerang is even older than we thought, but it’s not Australian

byMihai Andrei
1 day ago
Future

Swarms of tiny robots could go up your nose, melt the mucus and clean your sinuses

byMihai Andrei
2 days ago

Recent news

What’s Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction and How Not to Fall into Its Trap

June 28, 2025

Why a 20-Minute Nap Could Be Key to Unlocking ‘Eureka!’ Moments Like Salvador Dalí

June 28, 2025

The world’s oldest boomerang is even older than we thought, but it’s not Australian

June 27, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.