Revolutionizing Eye Care: The Transformative Power of 3D Printing

Although 3D printing has already proven its worth in creating implants and prosthetics, ongoing research is now shedding light on its immense potential in the realm of eye care. This development is particularly significant as Transparency Market Research predicts a steady rise in ophthalmic healthcare in Mexico, a trend expected to continue until 2031. 

3D printing technology is playing a transformative role in the manufacturing of ocular devices. “This cutting-edge technology opens up new avenues for rapid, on-demand and customized production of a wide range of ocular devices, including glasses, contact lenses and drug-delivering ocular inserts,” says Alex Hull, Head of Biosciences, Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo. Furthermore, the technology can be leveraged to develop advanced eye models, enabling the efficient screening of drugs and the testing of novel ocular products.

According to Bispace, the increasing demand for ophthalmic devices in Mexico has been observed across multiple healthcare sectors, including surgery, vision care and diagnosis. Moreover, considering the higher susceptibility of Mexico’s elderly population to eye-related disorders, there is a growing need for effective and personalized medical devices. 3D printing technology presents a promising solution by enabling the production of medical devices directly at the point of care. This approach is particularly valuable for situations that require customized, one-of-a-kind or specialty designs to cater to the unique needs of individual patients.

“Given that most of the about 5,000 ophthalmologists in Mexico are concentrated in major urban centers such as Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, there is a crucial need to develop technology that enables these healthcare professionals to reach and provide care to patients residing in remote areas,” says Enrique Graue-Hernández, Member of the Board, Instituto de Oftalmología Fundación Conde de Valenciana.