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Manufacturing of an ocular prosthesis based on the 3D printed anophthalmic socket
Author(s) -
Ruiters S.,
Sun Y.,
De Jong S.,
Politis C.,
Mombaerts I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0708
Subject(s) - prosthesis , impression , ocular prosthesis , medicine , 3d printed , dentistry , orthodontics , biomedical engineering , computer science , surgery , world wide web
Purpose In anophthalmos, the ideal ocular prosthesis restores the facial appearance and eye motility, and is comfortable to wear. This can best be achieved with a bespoke prosthesis. The initial step usually involves injection of dental impression material to obtain a mould of the anophthalmic socket. However, the socket impression method distorts the soft tissues, so that additional alterations to the prosthesis are required via the trial and error method. Developing an impression‐free method of the anophthalmic socket. Methods A cone‐beam CT of the anophthalmic orbit is taken, and with computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) the anophthalmic socket is printed three dimensionally (3D). The 3D‐printed socket is subsequently used as a trial working prosthesis in the conventional way. Results With this novel technique, a prosthesis was successfully fitted in a 68‐year‐old male who had undergone a recent evisceration. Conclusions Computer‐aided design and 3D printing can accurately outline the anophthalmic cavity. Validating the impression‐free moulding technique is subjected to further studies.