3D-Printed Cornea Restores Sight to Blind Patient, Offering Hope for Millions
Haifa, Israel – In a medical first, surgeons at the Rambam eye Institute successfully transplanted a 3D-printed cornea created from human cells, restoring sight to a legally blind patient. The groundbreaking surgery marks a pivotal moment in the field of regenerative medicine adn offers a potential solution to the global shortage of donor corneas.
Worldwide, an estimated 5 to 10 million people suffer vision loss in both eyes due to corneal damage, with another 6 million experiencing blindness in one eye.While corneal transplant surgery boasts a 97% success rate in countries with robust donation systems, a critical shortage of donor tissue leaves millions waiting - and frequently enough remaining – in darkness. This innovative bioprinting technique promises to dramatically increase the availability of corneas, potentially eliminating waitlists and offering renewed hope to those affected by corneal diseases and injuries.
The surgery was performed by Michael Mimuni, a surgeon at the Rambam Eye Institute, who described the experience as “an unforgettable glimpse into a future where no one would have to live in the dark due to a lack of donor tissue.” He stated to the Times of Israel, “The patient’s eye was legally blind. For the first time in history, I witnessed a cornea made from human cells in a laboratory restore sight to a person.”
The artificial cornea was manufactured by Precise Bio, who explained that their process allows for the production of approximately 300 corneal implants from a single donor cornea. This exponential increase in availability addresses a notable barrier to treatment, notably in countries lacking established eye donation banks or advanced medical infrastructure.
Advancement of the 3D-printed cornea began in 2018 at the University of Newcastle in the UK, and this successful transplant is expected to accelerate the adoption of bioprinting technology within ophthalmology and beyond. Further research and clinical trials are planned to refine the process and expand access to this life-changing treatment.
