fbpx
Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

CORE Demonstrates Advanced 3D Printing for Ocular Research at ARVO 2023

Scientists from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) are poised to unveil multiple advancements in 3D printing next week during the ARVO 2023 Annual Meeting in New Orleans. These innovations have widespread applications, with the potential to accelerate development of drug delivery systems, biodegradable contact lenses, and pharmaceuticals.

“Our multidisciplinary team has created one of the most sophisticated 3D printing environments for ocular research in the world,” said Alex Hui, OD, PhD, FAAO, head of Biosciences at CORE. “This investment in people and technologies is opening doors for new discoveries, product validation, and clinical insights, with so many implications for enhancing vision.”

CORE’s scientific poster presentations at ARVO span several interlinked aspects of three-dimensional modeling. Three related works focus on a new, CORE-developed method to rapidly fabricate PDMS (polydimethyl siloxane) microfluidic chips at a low cost and with high throughput. These chips are used to test ocular cellular responses to various conditions, formulations, and materials. Researchers were able to incorporate human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs), which showed strong adherence, metabolic activity, and growth capability, indicating the viability of chip-based cell biological studies.

CORE also fabricated a PDMS microfluidic chip for evaluating contact lens-based drug release. ARVO organizers have designated “Fabrication of a Microfluidic Chip for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Studies Using 3D Printing” (Ramasamy M., et al.) as a scientific highlight for the entire conference.

Another CORE program to be shared in New Orleans developed a biodegradable bioink for fabricating ophthalmic devices. A novel gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)-centric formulation was used with a commercial masked-stereolithography (mSLA) 3D printer, with the resulting material assessed for degradation. Investigators also fabricated a contact lens from the same material, without requiring any support structures during printing.

In a quest to better evaluate ocular drug delivery, CORE scientists designed a soft hydrogel eye model, including an upper and lower eyelid, a frontal surface to mimic the cornea and sclera, and an internal chamber to mimic the interior of the eye. The eyeball and the lower eyelid were 3D bioprinted, then fit to a CORE-created in vitro OcuBlink device for automated blinking and tear collection. The outcomes supported the method for testing that more closely mimics a human ocular system, especially for drug absorption through the cornea.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Featured Posts

July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses 810 x 338

The Perfect Pair: Glasses AND Contact Lenses

New survey data shows how dual wear—glasses and contacts—boosts patient satisfaction and opens big opportunities for ECPs to improve care and communication.

Learn More
Essilor Varilux physop extensee logo

Essilor Announces Latest Progressive Lens Innovation: Varilux® Physio® extensee Lens

Discover Varilux Physio extensee™, Essilor’s latest innovation in progressive lenses—sharp vision, better contrast, and pupil-adaptive comfort in all light.

Read more
CooperVision

MiSight® Spectacle Lenses Powered by Diffusion Optics Technology™ Launches in Canada to Slow Myopia Progression

Breakthrough Approach First to Use Contrast Management, Supported by Extensive Clinical Studies; Proven Highly Effective in Children as Young as Six Years Old

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Mood Le PArc Marcellis

LE PARC – Timeless Lines, a Bold Perspective

From the Spring/Summer 2025 collection and “Dots” campaign, Marcelis is a sophisticated combination of acetate textures and timeless lines.

Read more
Safilo Group Victoria Beckham logos July 2025

Safilo, Victoria Beckham Announce Ten-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Eyewear Collections

Safilo and Victoria Beckham announce a global ten-year eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, with a new luxury collection debuting Spring-Summer 2026.

Read more
July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses 810 x 338

The Perfect Pair: Glasses AND Contact Lenses

New survey data shows how dual wear—glasses and contacts—boosts patient satisfaction and opens big opportunities for ECPs to improve care and communication.

Learn More
Essilor Varilux physop extensee logo

Essilor Announces Latest Progressive Lens Innovation: Varilux® Physio® extensee Lens

Discover Varilux Physio extensee™, Essilor’s latest innovation in progressive lenses—sharp vision, better contrast, and pupil-adaptive comfort in all light.

Read More
CooperVision

MiSight® Spectacle Lenses Powered by Diffusion Optics Technology™ Launches in Canada to Slow Myopia Progression

Breakthrough Approach First to Use Contrast Management, Supported by Extensive Clinical Studies; Proven Highly Effective in Children as Young as Six Years Old

Read More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Mood Le PArc Marcellis

LE PARC – Timeless Lines, a Bold Perspective

From the Spring/Summer 2025 collection and “Dots” campaign, Marcelis is a sophisticated combination of acetate textures and timeless lines.

Read More
Safilo Group Victoria Beckham logos July 2025

Safilo, Victoria Beckham Announce Ten-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Eyewear Collections

Safilo and Victoria Beckham announce a global ten-year eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, with a new luxury collection debuting Spring-Summer 2026.

Read More
July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses 810 x 338

The Perfect Pair: Glasses AND Contact Lenses

New survey data shows how dual wear—glasses and contacts—boosts patient satisfaction and opens big opportunities for ECPs to improve care and communication.

Learn More
Essilor Varilux physop extensee logo

Essilor Announces Latest Progressive Lens Innovation: Varilux® Physio® extensee Lens

Discover Varilux Physio extensee™, Essilor’s latest innovation in progressive lenses—sharp vision, better contrast, and pupil-adaptive comfort in all light.

Read more
CooperVision

MiSight® Spectacle Lenses Powered by Diffusion Optics Technology™ Launches in Canada to Slow Myopia Progression

Breakthrough Approach First to Use Contrast Management, Supported by Extensive Clinical Studies; Proven Highly Effective in Children as Young as Six Years Old

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Mood Le PArc Marcellis

LE PARC – Timeless Lines, a Bold Perspective

From the Spring/Summer 2025 collection and “Dots” campaign, Marcelis is a sophisticated combination of acetate textures and timeless lines.

Read more
Safilo Group Victoria Beckham logos July 2025

Safilo, Victoria Beckham Announce Ten-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Eyewear Collections

Safilo and Victoria Beckham announce a global ten-year eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, with a new luxury collection debuting Spring-Summer 2026.

Read more
July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses 810 x 338

The Perfect Pair: Glasses AND Contact Lenses

New survey data shows how dual wear—glasses and contacts—boosts patient satisfaction and opens big opportunities for ECPs to improve care and communication.

Learn More
Essilor Varilux physop extensee logo

Essilor Announces Latest Progressive Lens Innovation: Varilux® Physio® extensee Lens

Discover Varilux Physio extensee™, Essilor’s latest innovation in progressive lenses—sharp vision, better contrast, and pupil-adaptive comfort in all light.

Read more
CooperVision

MiSight® Spectacle Lenses Powered by Diffusion Optics Technology™ Launches in Canada to Slow Myopia Progression

Breakthrough Approach First to Use Contrast Management, Supported by Extensive Clinical Studies; Proven Highly Effective in Children as Young as Six Years Old

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Mood Le PArc Marcellis

LE PARC – Timeless Lines, a Bold Perspective

From the Spring/Summer 2025 collection and “Dots” campaign, Marcelis is a sophisticated combination of acetate textures and timeless lines.

Read more
Safilo Group Victoria Beckham logos July 2025

Safilo, Victoria Beckham Announce Ten-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Eyewear Collections

Safilo and Victoria Beckham announce a global ten-year eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, with a new luxury collection debuting Spring-Summer 2026.

Read more