The first human corneas have been 3D printed by scientists at Newcastle University in the UK. The scientists say they've created the first 3D-printed human corneas using a combination of their unique "bio-ink" and cornea stem cells, they can print the corneas in under ten minutes.
This means the technique could be utilized in the future to ensure an unlimited supply of corneas.
As the outermost layer of the human eye, the cornea has an important role in focusing vision.
Yet there is a significant shortage of corneas available to transplant, with 10 million people worldwide requiring surgery to prevent corneal blindness as a result of diseases such as trachoma, an infectious eye disorder.
