Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printers are increasingly being used in medicine for surgical
planning, medical education, patient education, research, and device development.
We explore the educational value of a 3D printer for trainees in an ophthalmology
residency program. A 3D printer was made available to medical students, residents,
and clinical and research fellows in the Department of Ophthalmology at Case Western
Reserve University. One of the medical students was proficient in the technology and
was available to help. Multiple projects were initiated including the manufacturing
of slit-lamp cellphone adapters and various interface and integral custom-made parts
for research applications. The 3D printer was found to be useful by 20 of 21 trainees
surveyed with 17 of 20 saying they would use it after graduation if they had access
to one. All the respondents felt that the availability of the technology can contribute
to increased innovation in the ophthalmology department. We encourage other ophthalmology
departments to experiment with 3D printing as a tool to foster innovation and creativity
for trainees.
Keywords
3D printing - residency - education - ophthalmology - slit-lamp - cellphone - ultrasound
biomicroscopy
