3D-Printed Corneas Restore Vision in First Successful Transplant

Israeli company Precise Bio has achieved a medical milestone by performing the world's first transplant of a lab-grown, 3D-printed cornea. This innovative procedure offers a potential solution to the global shortage of donor corneal tissue and aims to restore vision for millions affected by corneal blindness.

The implant is created from a single donor cornea, expanded into cells to produce over 400 new corneas. It features a higher cell density than natural tissue and is designed for easier surgical handling. A Phase I safety trial is underway, with the first patient, who had been legally blind for 14 years, now able to see normally nine months post-surgery. The company plans U.S. commercial distribution by 2030, pending FDA approval and further trials. (newsminimalist.com)