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“At the Newcastle University, United Kingdom, researchers have been successful in creating the first human corneas combining stem cells & 3D printer technology.”

A paper publication has discussed about viable proof of concept about creating a “bio-ink” by combining stem cells of a healthy human donor with collagen and alginate which is further forced-out or extruded through a 3D printer shaped like an actual human cornea. The stem cells are then nurtured into these printed corneas.

A professor at the Newcastle University said;

“Research teams and scientists in the healthcare around the world are now chasing the bio-ink which is ideal to make this process feasible. The concept has been rooted in earlier researches and medical practice of keeping the cells alive at room temperature inside a likewise hydrogel. But now, the bio-ink containing stem cells allow printing of the tissues without growing the cells in isolation.”

The first successful 3D printed cornea came with quite a buzz and excitement which literally expands the scope of ophthalmology, allowing unlimited application in refractive and corneal surgeries. And like always, there’ve been scepticism over the work due to previous manufacturing of synthetic corneas used for human eye transplantation.

However, surgical application of these corneas in the actual eyes hasn’t brought satisfying results. That said, even doctors say they’ve yet to completely understand the corneal structural makeup through various methods and predict the occurrence of ectasia post-refractive eye surgery.

Catering to the appropriate shape and size of the artificial cornea is indeed praiseworthy and an achievement after years of tireless research and laboratory work. But, will the structure be able to adjust to the human eye and allow smooth suture to pass through without cheese wiring out of it is yet to be seen.

Further research and arguments are on essential fluids and nutrients to the eye health and if they’re able to circulate to the eye while maintaining the intraocular pressure. Further queries have been on optical clarity and if these artificial corneas wouldn’t distort the real-time image quality, normal function of the eye and intraocular pressure measurements.

Other concerns are on longevity of the artificial corneas and their ability to survive the test of time without degrading, pulling away or even melting from the surrounding eye wall or tissue. Human cornea, much like the entire body is an engineering masterpiece and the more research is being done on its performance and overall functions, the harder it gets while opening doors for many hidden secrets and achievements a human mind is unwilling to accept immediately.

Although, creation of 3D printed corneas has proven ground-breaking and a first successful step is replacing the natural cornea post-surgery, there’s a dire need for producing a much more sophisticated and near real version than current.

For the treatment of anterior corneal scars and certain narrowing anomalies such as keratoconus, the corneal stromal transplant also known as anterior lamellar transplant) is significant. Custom printing of the tissue is indeed a development beyond anything in the ever expanding field of ophthalmology.