In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at Rambam Health Care Campus have successfully restored sight in a legally blind patient using a fully 3D-printed cornea.
The procedure involved a 70-year-old woman who had been blind in one eye. She received a lab-grown corneal implant called PB-001, marking the first successful human trial of a 3D-printed cornea.
The transplant was performed at the Rambam Eye Institute in collaboration with Israeli biotech company Precise Bio. The company developed the implant using cultured human corneal cells, creating a biocompatible and functional replacement for damaged corneal tissue.
Unlike traditional corneal transplants, the 3D-printed cornea does not depend on donor tissue. This innovation could address the global shortage of donor corneas, particularly in countries that lack well-established eye banks.
Doctors involved in the procedure highlighted the significance of this breakthrough. “This is the first time a lab-grown cornea has been successfully transplanted into a human,” said a spokesperson from Rambam Health Care Campus. “It opens new possibilities for restoring vision in patients worldwide.”
The patient is reported to be recovering well, with vision gradually improving in the affected eye. Medical experts say the success of this trial may pave the way for wider use of 3D-printed implants in ophthalmology.
The development comes at a critical time, as millions of people globally suffer from corneal blindness. Traditional transplants are often limited by donor availability and tissue rejection risks. The 3D-printed cornea offers a potentially safer and more accessible alternative.
Researchers emphasize that while further trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness, this achievement represents a major milestone in regenerative medicine. It demonstrates how advanced biotechnology and 3D printing can create functional human tissues.
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Experts hope that, in the near future, 3D-printed corneas could become a standard treatment option, reducing blindness and improving quality of life for countless patients around the world.
