Scientists 3D print human cornea for first time, a technique which could save millions from blindness

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A human cornea has been produced with a 3D printer for the first time - a development which is thought could eventually help millions of people around the world suffering from corneal blindness. Combining human stem cells from a healthy donor with collagen and alginate - a chemical often used to produce artificial limbs - the proof-of-concept research was able to produce a “bio-ink” for a 3D bio-printer. Now we have a ready to use bio-ink containing stem cells allowing users to start printing tissues without having to worry about growing the cells separately.” The team, who published their findings in journal Experimental Eye Research​, also showed they were able to build a cornea to match a patient’s unique requirements. “However, what we have shown is that it is feasible to print corneas using coordinates taken from a patient eye and that this approach has potential to combat the world-wide shortage.” Dr Neil Ebenezer, director of research, policy and innovation at Fight for Sight, a British charity dedicated to pioneering eye research to prevent sight loss, said: “We are delighted at the success of researchers at Newcastle University in developing 3D printing of corneas using human tissue.