New 3D printing technology enables rapid production of personalized contact lenses
New 3D printing technology enables rapid production of personalized contact lenses
Publish Date: 2026-07-14 11:49:00
Source Domain: www.news-medical.net
A breakthrough combination of new silicone materials and advanced 3D printing technology developed by University of Waterloo researchers could transform how contact lenses are manufactured.
The award-winning innovation can produce patient-specific contact lenses in as little as 20 minutes, paving the way for specialized lenses to be designed, manufactured and dispensed during a single visit to the optometrist.
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.
Researchers in Waterloo’s Department of Chemistry developed the digital manufacturing platform to address these challenges.
We are very excited about this work because it brings us closer to contact lenses that are truly personalized. Our technology produces lenses with patient-specific surfaces for a precise fit while delivering the optical clarity and mechanical performance expected of commercial contact lenses.”
Dr. Shirley Tang, Professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemistry
The platform combines custom lens design software, a newly developed silicone material, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Silicone is widely used in contact lenses because it is safe, biocompatible and highly oxygen permeable. However, conventional silicone materials are generally not compatible with 3D printing. To overcome this barrier, the Waterloo team developed a new hydrophilic silicone formulation specifically designed for additive manufacturing while maintaining the properties required for contact lens applications.
“Our software designs a lens with an inner surface that precisely matches the…
