The first human corneas have been 3D printed by scientists at Newcastle University.
It means the technique could be used in the future to ensure an unlimited supply of corneas.
As the outermost layer of the human eye, the cornea has an important role in focusing vision.
Yet there is a significant shortage of corneas available to transplant, with 10 million people worldwide requiring surgery to prevent corneal blindness as a result of diseases such as trachoma, an infectious eye disorder.
In addition, almost 5 million people suffer total blindness due to corneal scarring caused by burns, lacerations, abrasion or disease.
The proof-of-concept research, published today in Experimental Eye Research, reports how stem cells (human corneal stromal cells) from a healthy donor cornea were mixed together with alginate and collagen to create a solution that could be printed, a ‘bio-ink’.
Using a simple low-cost 3D bio-printer, the bio-ink was successfully extruded in concentric circles to form the shape of a human cornea. It took less than 10 minutes to print.
The stem cells were then shown to culture – or grow.
Unique bio-ink
Che Connon, Professor of Tissue Engineering at Newcastle University, who led the work, said: “Many teams across the world have been chasing the ideal bio-ink to make this process feasible.
“Our unique gel – a combination of alginate and collagen – keeps the stem cells alive whilst producing a material which is stiff enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be squeezed out the nozzle of a 3D printer.
“This builds upon our previous work in which we kept cells alive for weeks at room temperature within a similar hydrogel. Now we have a ready to use bio-ink containing stem cells allowing users to start printing tissues without having to worry about growing the cells separately.”
The scientists, including first author and guest researcher Ms Abigail Isaacson from the Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, also demonstrated that they could build a cornea to match a patient’s unique specifications.
The dimensions of the printed tissue were originally taken from an actual cornea. By scanning a patient’s eye, they could use the data to rapidly print a cornea which matched the size and shape.
Professor Connon added: “Our 3D printed corneas will now have to undergo further testing and it will be several years before we could be in the position where we are using them for transplants.
“However, what we have shown is that it is feasible to print corneas using coordinates taken from a patient eye and that this approach has potential to combat the world-wide shortage.”
Significant progress
Dr Neil Ebenezer, director of research, policy and innovation at Fight for Sight, said: “We are delighted at the success of researchers at Newcastle University in developing 3D printing of corneas using human tissue.
“This research highlights the significant progress that has been made in this area and this study is important in bringing us one step closer to reducing the need for donor corneas, which would positively impact some patients living with sight loss.
“However, it is important to note that this is still years away from potentially being available to patients and it is still vitally important that people continue to donate corneal tissue for transplant as there is a shortage within the UK.
“A corneal transplant can give someone back the gift of sight.”
Learn more: First 3D printed human corneas
The Latest on: Corneas
[google_news title=”” keyword=”corneas” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Corneas
- Héma-Québec to become exclusive provider of human tissue donations for hospitalson April 26, 2024 at 3:35 pm
In addition to having a monopoly on blood products in the province, Héma-Québec will soon be solely responsible for the distribution of human tissues for all hospitals in Quebec starting December 2024 ...
- How long should dark periods be in turkey barns?on April 25, 2024 at 8:24 am
NC State study examines how length of exposure of darkness affects production performance, injury prevalence, fearfulness and eye health.
- Retired Bradenton teacher’s vision restored after ‘life-changing’ donation transplanton April 25, 2024 at 4:31 am
Many times transplants are life-saving. Mine was life-changing,” the Bradenton man said. “It’s given me back my life.” ...
- Organ recipient ‘got second chance at life’on April 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm
As part of National Donate Life Month, Franciscan Health Crown Point on Tuesday hosted its annual Donate Life ceremony.
- Vet reveals what your dog really thinks when you wipe away their eye bogieson April 23, 2024 at 1:30 pm
If you have a dog, you’ll be familiar with wiping away their eye bogies – but have you ever wondered what your pooch thinks of it? A woman has gone viral on TikTok after asking whether her dog knows ...
- ‘Eye floaters are absolutely the worst thing’: ‘Young, healthy’ man issues dire warning about getting LASIK surgeryon April 23, 2024 at 10:00 am
A man claimed LASIK has left him with chronic pain, eye floaters, and no night vision in a viral TikTok video.
- Shib Narayan's corneas to bring light to two blind peopleon April 19, 2024 at 9:27 am
In accordance with father's wish, Shib’s son Arnab Adityo donated both of his corneas to Sandhani. A team from the Sandhani International Eye Bank collected the two corneas at 12:30pm ...
- Utah eye surgeon explains what you need to know when thinking about LASIKon April 18, 2024 at 12:04 pm
If you're considering LASIK, Katherine S. Hu, MD, a top vision correction surgeon at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah has some advice.
- Bioengineered Corneas Stand to Cure Blindness For Millions of People Around the Worldon April 16, 2024 at 8:00 am
Cornea transplantation is the most common way of restoring lost sight, but it's a very technical procedure that relies on donors.
via Bing News