3D-Printed Low-Cost Artificial Corneal Perfusion Chamber for Investigating Corneal Physiology and Diseases in Different Animal Species

Abstract

Corneal blindness is the fourth-most common form of blindness in the world. The only current therapy is a cornea transplant; however, only 1 out of 70 people would receive a corneal transplant. While cell models can be used to develop therapies for corneal diseases, they cannot recapitulate the complexity of the tissue, as displayed in animal models, which are expensive and complex to carry out. Thus, ex vivo models that can recapitulate the cornea structure are critical. Herein, a series of open-access 3D-printed corneal perfusion chambers that can closely recapitulate the native curvature of the cornea is presented, while also maintaining internal ocular pressure, for different animal species. These devices are made available open access to the scientific community, allow the study of corneal physiology, diseases, and to aid in future therapeutic discovery for cornea treatments.