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Computer-aided design and three-dimensional printing in the manufacturing of an ocular prosthesis
  1. Sébastien Ruiters1,
  2. Yi Sun2,
  3. Stéphan de Jong1,
  4. Constantinus Politis2,
  5. Ilse Mombaerts1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  2. 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  1. Correspondence to Ilse Mombaerts, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven 3000, Belgium; Ilse.Mombaerts{at}uzleuven.be

Abstract

Restoring the facial appearance in acquired anophthalmos entails precision fitting of a customised ocular prosthesis. The fabrication is an artisanal process, and is primarily based on an impression of the anophthalmic cavity. This is usually achieved by the impression-moulding method, which, however, may introduce errors, resulting in a poorly fitted prosthesis. We developed a new method in the manufacturing of a customised ocular prosthesis based on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. An ocular prosthesis, based on a three-dimensional (3D) printed impression-free mould of the anophthalmic cavity, was successfully fitted in a 68-year-old male. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a customised ocular prosthesis designed with the aid of 3D printing.

Trial registration number B322201628407, Pre-results.

  • Prosthesis
  • Rehabilitation

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