Contact lenses can be 3D printed in just 20 minutes to perfectly fit a patient’s prescription using a new platform developed by University of Waterloo (UW) researchers.
The system could pave the way for specialised lenses to be designed, manufactured and dispensed during a single visit to the optician.
Most contact lenses are manufactured in a limited range of sizes and shapes rather than being custom-made for each person’s eye. While soft lenses are suitable for many wearers, patients with irregularly shaped corneas often require rigid lenses to achieve clear vision. Finding the right fit can require several appointments over weeks or months before patients receive lenses that fit properly and provide the function they need.
Dr Shirley Tang, a UW professor, said the technology brings us closer to contact lenses that are “truly personalised”.
“Our technology produces lenses with patient-specific surfaces for a precise fit while delivering the optical clarity and mechanical performance expected...