3D printing for low cost, rapid prototyping of eyelid crutches

ABSTRACT

Blepharoptosis or ptosis is a common and potentially debilitating clinical problem. Long-term surgical treatment for ptosis caused by progressive myopathies can be challenging due to potential recurrence and complications associated with facial muscle weakness. When surgical treatment is no longer effective, an eyelid crutch can be used as an alternative intervention. This report demonstrates how 3D printing was used to rapidly design, prototype, and manufacture new custom-fit eyelid crutches at a low cost.

KEYWORDS:

• 3D printing
• blepharoptosis
• eyelid crutch
• lagophthalmos
• progressive myopathy

Patient consent

Written consent from the patient for use of clinical information and photographs was obtained after informed consent and is archived with the corresponding author.

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

VKA [K08EY024339], CQY [K12EY021475] and MIR [P30EY001792] received an Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY.