Stereolithographic rapid prototyping of clear, foldable, non-refractive intraocular lens designs: A proof-of-concept study

Hidalgo-Alvarez, Veronica, Falcon, Noelia D., Eldred, Julie, Wormstone, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6423-7766 and Saeed, Aram ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2903-5875 (2024) Stereolithographic rapid prototyping of clear, foldable, non-refractive intraocular lens designs: A proof-of-concept study. Current Eye Research.

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Abstract

Purpose: A cataract is a cloudy area in the crystalline lens. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and the second cause of severe vision impairment worldwide. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is extracted and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens, which restores the optical power. The fabrication of intraocular lenses using existing molding and lathing techniques is a complex and time-consuming process that limits the development of novel materials and designs. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a stereolithography-based process for producing models of clear lens designs without refractive function, serving as a proof of concept. This process has the potential to contribute toward new lens development, allowing for unlimited design iterations and an expanded range of materials for scientists to explore. Methods: Lens-like 3D objects without refractive function were fabricated by using stereolithography. A photopolymerizable resin containing 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, and a suitable photoinitiator was developed for the production of lens-like 3D object prototypes. The morphology of the printed devices was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The transparency and thermal properties were analyzed using spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The biocompatibility of the devices was investigated in a cultured human lens cell line (FHL-124), using a standard lactate dehydrogenase assay, and the lenses were folded and implanted in the human capsular bag model. Results: One-piece lens-like 3D objects without refractive function and with loop-haptic design were successfully fabricated using Stereolithography (SLA) technique. The resulting 3D objects were transparent, as determined by UV spectroscopy. The lactate dehydrogenase test demonstrated the tolerance of lens cells to the prototyping material, and apparent foldability and shape recovery was observed during direct injection into a human capsular bag model in vitro. Conclusions: This proof-of-principle study demonstrated the potential and significance of the rapid prototyping process for research and development of lens-like 3D object prototypes, such as intraocular lenses.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Disclosure statement: (P) Aram Saeed and Michael Wormstone are credited as inventors in a patent family associated with this research, which has been assigned to UEA Enterprise Limited. The extent of their contributions to this work varied. The patent family includes the granted US patent 11958927, along with its international counterparts WO2020049307A1 and EP3846865A1. Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [AS], upon reasonable request.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy Faculty of Science > School of Natural Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Pharmaceutical Materials and Soft Matter
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2024 15:32
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 19:32
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/95925
DOI:	10.1080/02713683.2024.2344164

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