3D printing might now treat color blindness according to a study conducted by Khalifa University of Science and Technology (UK) in Abu Dhabi. Otherwise known as color vision deficiency, this anomaly is an inherited eye disorder in which one or more of the three types of cones in the retina of the eye, responsible for color perception, are deficient. The most common form remains red-green color blindness, but there are also individuals with problems for yellow-blue colors.
As you know, the fabrication additive allows you to design objects of all kinds. In particular spectacle frames for people with visual impairments. However, this technology was only used for aesthetic purposes mainly. Henceforth, she would allow individuals with color vision deficiency to correct this anomaly. Indeed, researchers from the aforementioned university have created lenses capable of improving the daily lives of individuals affected by color blindness.
The 3D printing process to correct color blindness
The team used a transparent resin mixed with two wavelength-filtering dyes to tint their 3D-printed lenses. These are also printed using the printer. SL1 de Prusa.
“To date, no cure for color blindness has been developed. Therefore, patients opt for wearable visual aids such as tinted eyeglasses/contact lenses, which achieve the latter by filtering out problematic wavelengths for patients with blue-yellow and red-green deficit allowing them to distinguish colors. Here, the development of 3D printed glasses might help correct color blindness. »says the UK researcher’s summary of the study.
Volunteers tested the glasses for both types of deficit and found them to be beneficial, both in terms of comfort and improved vision compared to commercially available corrective lenses for color blindness. For the mount, the research team used the software Solidworks and SLS 3D printing technology to design glasses identical to those on the market.
Prior to human testing, previous research on lens correction methods found that toxicity issues can arise when using dyes. So the UK team took precautions by first looking at the stability of their dyes. The 3D printed glasses have been stored in water for over a week and no dye has leaked during this time. Another test involved leaving the glasses in ambient conditions for an additional week. In the end, the lenses also proved to be resistant and reliable in the long term.
Tinted lenses to treat yellow-blue color blindness. (Photo credits: Médocoptic)
What do you think of using 3D technologies to treat color blindness? Share your opinion in the comments of the article. Find all our videos on our channel YouTube or follow us on Facebook or Twitter !
*Cover photo credits: Médocoptic
