Adhesive lens in 20 minutes: 3D printing and a single visit to an ophthalmologist

A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada has developed a new system capable of printing custom medical contact lenses for each patient using 3D printing technology in just 20 minutes. This could pave the way for optometrists to manufacture contact lenses tailored to each patient’s specific medical measurements, completing the entire process in a single doctor’s visit. The system is currently undergoing clinical trials, but if successful, it could make obtaining contact lenses much easier overall, according to a report by BGR, a technology news website.

By enabling ophthalmologists to print lenses custom-designed to the unique shape of each person’s eye, this innovative system could make contact lenses a more viable option even for individuals whose eyes do not conform to currently approved shapes and designs. It may also fundamentally change how people view 3D printing technology.

Most contact lenses available on the market are produced in a limited range of sizes and shapes, rather than being manufactured specifically for each patient. While this approach works for most people, individuals with irregularly shaped corneas may find current options unsuitable, as they are not designed to fit all eye shapes. Consequently, finding the right fit may require multiple appointments, as doctors carefully test how lenses of different shapes perform on each patient’s eyes.