Abstract
An ocular prosthesis is a custom-made polymeric insert that can be placed in an anophthalmic socket for cosmetic rehabilitation of patients who have lost their eyes. The process of creating such a custom-made ocular prosthesis is time-consuming and labor-intensive because it involves artistic work that is carried out manually. This paper proposes a novel semi-automated method for fabricating customized ocular prostheses using three-dimensional (3D) printing and sublimation transfer printing. In the proposed method, an impression mold of the patient’s anophthalmic socket is first optically scanned using a 3D scanner to produce a 3D model. The ocular prosthesis is then produced via a digital light processing 3D printer using biocompatible photopolymer resin. Subsequently, an image of the iris and blood vessels of the eye is prepared by modifying a photographed image of the contralateral normal eye, and printed onto the 3D-printed ocular prosthesis using a dye sublimation transfer technique. Cytotoxicity assessments of the base material and fabricated ocular prosthesis indicate that there is no adverse effect on cellular viability and proliferation. The proposed method reduces the time and skill required to fabricate a customized ocular prosthesis, and is expected to provide patients with easier access to quality custom-made ocular prostheses.
Highlights
The removal of eyeballs is a well-established approach for the treatment of various ocular diseases, the leading indications being intraocular malignancy, severe trauma, and a painful blind eye[1]
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a process in which a product is built in a layer-by-layer fashion based on a computer-aided design (CAD) sketch[5]
As it is not possible to store data pertaining to a previously created ocular prosthesis, reproducing the original product in the case of damage or loss would require the same amount of time, effort, and cost
Summary
The removal of eyeballs is a well-established approach for the treatment of various ocular diseases, the leading indications being intraocular malignancy, severe trauma, and a painful blind eye[1]. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a process in which a product is built in a layer-by-layer fashion based on a computer-aided design (CAD) sketch[5]. This technology facilitates freeform design and the production of customized objects with complex geometries[5,6]. This paper proposes a semi-automated process for manufacturing customized ocular prostheses using 3D printing and surface painting techniques. The proposed process can provide patients with custom-made ocular prostheses without significant reliance on skilled ocularists
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