Science is constantly changing - as is technology. Lucky for one British man, he's come to appreciate just that after becoming the recipient of a life-changing operation: the world's first 3D printed eye. From the record-breaking procedure to the remarkable results, here's what to know about the scientific breakthrough...
For starters, 47-year-old Steve Verze has always seen things differently - literally: "I’ve needed a prosthetic since I was 20, and I’ve always felt self-conscious about it," the British native confessed. "When I leave my home I often take a second glance in the mirror, and I’ve not liked what I’ve seen." Sure enough, after a 2-week medical trial, he's officially been given a new outlook on life...
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We're proud to support a world-first in ocular prosthetics: the trial of a digitally created 3D printed eye that will make it quicker & easier for up to 60,000 #NHS patients to receive a new eye, reducing waiting times👉https://t.co/alP8nETMl9@NIHRresearch @Moorfields @UCLeye pic.twitter.com/n5dVU8pM9i
— NIHR Moorfields BRC (@MoorfieldsBRC) November 25, 2021
On November 25, the Moorfields Hospital patient's prosthetic was officially replaced with a 3D printed eye, making it the first of its kind. Hand-painted and more comfortable on the eye than others, the biomimetic is perhaps the world's most realistic prosthetic. "This new eye looks fantastic and, being based on 3D digital printing technology, it’s only going to be better and better," Verze proudly assured.
As for how the record-making operation came to be? For starters, it was as intricate as it sounds. After scanning the patient's eyes, Dr. Professor Mandeep Sagoo, clinical lead at Moorfields, had a special software map out a 3D model of Mr. Verze's eye socket. Next? The detailed files were sent to a printer in Germany to bring the vision to life...
2.5 hours later, the printed eye was shipped off to a Moorfields ocularist for finishing touches. And, well, the rest is now history. "We are excited about the potential for this fully digital prosthetic eye," Dr. Mandeep gushed. "We hope the forthcoming clinical trial will provide us with robust evidence about the value of this new technology, showing what a difference it makes for patients. It clearly has the potential to reduce waiting lists."
Stay tuned while this fascinating story develops.
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