Low-cost geometry-tunable PDMS intraocular lenses fabricated using LCD 3D-printed molds for canine ophthalmic applications

Abstract

This study demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating geometry-tunable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) intraocular lens (IOL) prototypes using consumer-grade liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D-printed molds and PDMS casting. A reusable mold fabrication strategy incorporating a PMMA barrier layer successfully eliminated PDMS curing inhibition while preserving the mold geometry for repeated casting. The fabrication workflow accurately replicated a plate-haptic lens with a 6 mm optic and dimensional deviation below 1.5%, while enabling optical power to be tuned from 18 to 42 D by varying mold curvature alone. The fabricated PDMS IOLs exhibited high visible-light transparency (>95%), preliminary focusing ability, resolving power and image contrast comparable to a commercial IOL, acceptable post-treatment cytocompatibility, successful injector-assisted delivery with recovery of the original geometry, and preliminary hydrolytic stability and leachability performance. These results establish a reproducible, low-cost, and customizable fabrication platform for PDMS intraocular lenses and provide a foundation for future optimization toward customizable veterinary ophthalmic applications.