Three-dimensional Printing of Optical Lenses and Ophthalmic Surgery: Challenges and Perspectives

PURPOSE: To determine whether the historical Ridley lens could be reproduced with current three-dimensional lens printing technology. METHODS: A reproduction of the Ridley lens was printed using the Printoptical Technology (LUXeXceL Group BV, Kruiningen, Netherlands). Photographs and electron microscopy images were taken. Dimensions, weight, anterior and posterior surface radius of curvature, optical transmission, back optical power, and surface analysis using interferometry were obtained. RESULTS: The printed lens was 8.10 +/- 0.01 mm in diameter, 2.50 +/- 0.01 mm thick, and weighed 117 mg. The anterior radius of curvature was 14.63 +/- 0.69 mm and the posterior radius of curvature was 10.88 +/- 0.22 mm. The back focal length in air was 14.1 +/- 0.4 mm. An average 75% transmission in the visible spectrum (400 to 700 nm) was achieved. Surface analysis showed significant surface roughness. CONCLUSIONS: The printed reproduction of the Ridley lens was far from current clinical standards, but had the properties of a biconvex lens.