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3-D printed facial prosthesis more cost-effective than conventional facial prosthesis
CHICAGO — Researchers have developed a 3-D printed facial prosthesis using facial-scanning software and a 3-D printer, creating a money-saving option for patients with hollow sockets following eye surgery, according to a speaker here.
“The key element is that instead of using silicone, we use a different polymer called styrene isoprene polymer, which is a softer material,” David T. Tse, MD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. “It improves compliance and duration of wear, and it resists deposition of oily material and hopefully minimizes deposition of dirt.”
David T. Tse
According to Tse, the problem that arises from use of conventional facial prostheses is that the prosthetics are handmade by an ocularist and can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000, and insurance does not cover these costs. Additionally, long-term wear causes pressure on the orbital rim, which minimizes patients’ compliance of wearing the prosthesis. Finally, the prosthesis needs to be replaced every few years from the wear and tear.
“These are the problems we want to overcome by introducing this new technology of 3-D printing,” Tse said. “The aim is to have a global appeal to reach areas with patients in other parts of the world who may not have access to an ocularist, or who may not have the financial resources to make the prosthesis.”
Three-dimensional facial prostheses cost about a fraction of what a conventional prosthesis would and take only few hours to manufacture compared with a week or more for a conventional prosthesis, Tse said.
Disclosure: Tse owns equity and receives royalties from Innovia.