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3-D printing will change the optometric practice
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SEATTLE – The advent of 3-D printing will affect all aspects of dispensing glasses and possibly even contact lenses, according to a speaker here at Optometry’s Meeting.
This new way of manufacturing “will affect us in the future in a way we haven’t imagined yet,” David Friedfeld, president of Clear Vision Optical, told attendees.
While 3-D frames are already being manufactured, companies are also creating optically accurate 3-D printed spectacle lenses and contact lenses, he said.
“A research facility in Italy is working on 3D printing a fully functioning human eye,” Friedfeld added. “Their estimate is that in 2027 they’ll be able to bring one to market.”
David Friedfeld
With traditional manufacturing, or subtractive manufacturing, you start with a small slab and cut everything away, he said, a process that normally takes 3 to 8 weeks. With 3-D printing, products are created one at a time.
“I think that 3-D printing will affect our practices in every way,” he continued. “The 3-D printing machine is not expensive,” Friedfeld said. “We can make a prototype, and if it doesn’t work, we can make another in no time.”
Friedfeld said he believes eye care practices will have 3-D printers.
“When they do, it changes the nature of dispensing,” he said. “A patient can walk into your office and design a frame. Opticians will be customizing frames.
“The bigger impact on the dispensary is when you combine technologies,” Friedfeld continued. “When you take a virtual try-on technology and facial recognition technology, both existing and easy to do, you take frames that can be custom made in your office, and the nature of everything we do just changed. You have 1,000 or 2,000 frames currently, and many do not fit or are not the right color. Take the try-on and facial recognition technology along with the 3-D printer, and 35,000 frames are now available in your office.”
Excess inventory is gone and close-outs are gone. Everything can be custom, he said.
“Opticians will be part fashion designer, part scientist, part optician,” Friedfeld said. “That’s a fascinating opportunity for all of us to see careers changing because of 3-D printing.”
Customers are currently able to order 3D frames from Shapeway, Thingiverse and Amazon 3D Printing, he said.
“You can send them a frame you designed and they can print it to consumer-level quality,” Friedfeld said. “When that happens, everyone in this room has something to worry about.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO
Disclosure: Friedfeld is president of ClearVision Optical.