Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a game changer technology that holds great promise for a wide variety of biomedical applications, including ophthalmology. Through this emerging technique, specific eye tissues can be custom-fabricated in a flexible and automated way, incorporating different cell types and biomaterials in precise anatomical 3D geometries. However, and despite the great progress and possibilities generated in recent years, there are still challenges to overcome that jeopardize its clinical application in regular practice. The main goal of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of the current status and implementation of 3D bioprinting technology in the ophthalmology field in order to manufacture relevant tissues such as cornea, retina and conjunctiva. Special attention is paid to the description of the most commonly employed bioprinting methods, and the most relevant eye tissue engineering studies performed by 3D bioprinting technology at preclinical level. In addition, other relevant issues related to use of 3D bioprinting for ocular drug delivery, as well as both ethical and regulatory aspects, are analyzed. Through this review, we aim to raise awareness among the research community and report recent advances and future directions in order to apply this advanced therapy in the eye tissue regeneration field.
Highlights
The development of new revolutionary technologies during recent years, such as the use of Big Data, virtual reality systems and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, has created great expectations in the scientific community, regarding the improvement of the quality of life in patients affected by devastating pathologies, and in terms of saving health-care associated resources [1,2,3]
To date, the only study in which the bioprinting of two different cellular parts of the cornea has been tried is that by Sorkio et al [32]. They proposed the development of a corneal epithelium and a stroma using laser-assisted bioprinting (LaBP), and the use of stem cells, which show high differentiation capacity into epithelial stem cells and keratocytes
These results show that this technique is suitable for the development of membranes for the regeneration of damaged conjunctiva
Summary
The development of new revolutionary technologies during recent years, such as the use of Big Data, virtual reality systems and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, has created great expectations in the scientific community, regarding the improvement of the quality of life in patients affected by devastating pathologies, and in terms of saving health-care associated resources [1,2,3]. In this regard, 3D bioprinting is an emerging manufacturing technology which holds great promise for a wide variety of biomedical applications, including drug testing, pathophysiological studies and regenerative medicine [4].
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