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Surgeons of the Rambam Eye Institute entered the medical history.
They restored sight to a legally blind patient using completely 3D printed corneal implant grown entirely from cultured human corneal cells. This was the first time that a corneal implant that was not based on donor tissue was transplanted into a human eye.
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A breakthrough that turns one donor cornea into hundreds
The corneas were obtained from a healthy deceased donor and then expanded in the laboratory. The researchers used cultured cells to print about 300 transparent implants using Precision Bio's regenerative platform.
Their system creates a multi-layered structure that looks and behaves like a natural cornea. It is designed to provide clarity, strength and long-term performance.
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With a donor shortage preventing millions of people from receiving vision care each year, this approach could change access. Many patients in developed countries wait only a few days for a transplant, while others wait years due to low tissue availability. A single donor cornea, which can be used to create hundreds of implants, changes this equation.
The operation used a fully 3D printed cornea implant grown from cultured human cells to restore sight to a blind patient. (Rambam Eye Institute)
The operation that proved it works
The surgical team was led by Professor Michael Mimouni, Head of the Cornea Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Eye Institute. He called the moment unforgettable because the lab-grown implant restored sight to a real patient for the first time.
He says: “This platform shows and proves that it is possible to expand human cells in the laboratory. Then print them on any desired layer, and this fabric will become stable and functional. We hope that we can reduce wait times for all types of patients waiting for all types of transplants.”
The procedure is part of an ongoing phase 1 clinical trial evaluating safety and tolerability in people with corneal endothelial disease. This achievement is the result of many years of work in research laboratories, operating rooms and industry. It also shows how well-coordinated teams can move new treatments from concept to clinical reality.
How science fits into a great future
This breakthrough will have a permanent home in Rambam's upcoming Helmsley Health Discovery Tower. The new eye institute will bring care, teaching and research under one roof. The goal of the project is to accelerate the transition from the latest science to real treatment for patients in Northern Israel and beyond.
Precision Bio says it is 3D printing system may ultimately support other tissues such as heart muscle, liver and kidney cells. This future will require much testing and extensive testing, but the path now looks more achievable.
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Professor Michael Mimouni led the surgical team at the Rambam Eye Institute's Cornea Unit. (Rambam Eye Institute)
What does this mean for you
If corneal disease has affected someone in your family, this work will bring new hope. Donor tissue may continue to play a role in many regions, but lab-grown implants offer a way to expand access where shortages are holding patients back. The success of this first transplant also suggests a future in which regenerative medicine supports many types of tissue repair.
The milestone also shows how long it takes for scientific breakthroughs to reach real patients. The first 3D printed cornea design appeared in 2018 and is only now being used by humans. Despite this, progress is felt to be rapid when vision is restored as a result.
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Kurt's key takeaways
This successful transplant marks a turning point in eye care. This suggests a world in which donor limits do not decide who gets vision-saving surgery. As more trial results emerge, we will see how far this technology can scale and which patients will benefit first.
If regenerative implants become commonplace, what medical problems should researchers focus on next? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
This breakthrough shows how hundreds of lab-grown implants can be created from a single donor cornea, giving new hope to people who face long waits for treatment to save their vision. (iStock)
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