VisioPrinTech: 3D-printed Cornea to restore eyesight

Corneal disorders occur when the cornea becomes deformed or loses transparency, severely impairing vision. Traditionally, patients rely on cornea donations, which are limited and come with risks of rejection. The VisioPrinTech process eliminates these issues by using bioink made from the patient's stem cells and chemically modified collagen fibers. This method allows for the precise placement of cells to create transparent and functional corneas with minimal rejection risk.

• Reduced dependency on donations: The use of the patient’s own stem cells reduces reliance on donor corneas.
• Lower risk of rejection: Personalized bioink minimizes the risk of immune rejection.
• Precision and functionality: Laser-based technology ensures accurate cell placement, resulting in functional corneas.
• Advancing personalized medicine: This method represents a significant step toward personalized medical treatments.

The VisioPrinTech process holds great promise for transforming the treatment of corneal disorders. By providing a reliable, personalized alternative to traditional cornea transplants, this innovative method has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients with vision impairments. As the technology progresses, it could become a standard procedure in ophthalmic surgeries, paving the way for further advancements in personalized medicine.

The next phase of the VisioPrinTech project involves collaboration with industry partners to scale up the technology. Initial production and testing will be conducted in small batches to refine the process and ensure its effectiveness.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)