A South Bay Optometry Center Discusses How 3D Inkjet Printed Nerve Cells Might Cure Eye Diseases

LOS ANGELES - Jan. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – January 17, 2014 – Michael Hansen, owner of Advanced Eyecare Center, always stays up to date on the latest technology that might affect the optometry industry.  In his latest blog post he discusses a breakthrough technology called 3D inkjet printing.  3D printers are controversial these days because many believe that they might used to produce weapons, but these printers might also have the potential to improve many areas of medical practice.  Hansen, from a South Bay optometry clinic, states, “Inkjet printers are used to print high quality images on paper.  Now, amazingly the same inkjet technology may be used in the future to help people suffering from blindness to see images and improve their quality of life.”  He continues, “A team of scientist at the University of Cambria used inkjet printers to successfully print adult nerve cells from the retina of experimental rats. The printed retinal cells could be reconstructed and used as replacements for diseased eye tissues.”

Hansen explains that this discovery could be a crucial step towards improving the quality of life for those suffering from blindness.  He says, “With the research team at the University of Cambridge having successfully printed a layer of ganglion cells and a layer of glial cells, the next important phase of the study would be printing multiple layers of tissues so scientists can construct a whole retina. The Cambridge team is optimistic of their study’s success with the project because the concept of printing multiple different cell types follows the same principle as printing multiple different colors of ink.”

Michael Hansen discusses further by saying, “The research team envisions two options for curing retinal diseases using a 3D structure of an artificial retina. In the first option, scientists will construct an artificial retina on a membrane or a support structure and transplant the artificial retina into the eye. Another option would be to develop tools that would enable the printed cells to be placed in the back of the eye.”

New technologies like this one truly represent amazing steps toward curing horrible diseases.  To read the full version of this blog post by Advanced Eyecare Center, a South Bay optometry center (http://advancedeyecarecenter.net/south-bay-area/), click the link below.

http://advancedeyecarecenter.net/blog/industry-news/A_Sou...

About Advanced Eyecare Center

Advanced Eyecare Center is a full service optometry center that services the South Bay Area. Whether you're from El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, or any of the neighboring areas, we are dedicated to serve you and your family with individualized care through our thorough eye wellness exams.  Please visit http://advancedeyecarecenter.net/ for more information.