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A woman who had been legally blind can now see thanks to a fully 3D-printed cornea made from living human cells, a medical first that experts say could revolutionize eye care worldwide.
The groundbreaking procedure was performed in Israel by Precise Bio, a biotech company that spent over a decade perfecting the technology. The implant, called PB-001, mimics the clarity and flexibility of a natural cornea and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the patient’s eye.
“This is the first time in history a lab-made cornea has restored sight,” said Dr. Michael Mimouni, who led the surgery at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. “It was unforgettable, a glimpse of a future where no one has to live in darkness due to donor shortages.”
Currently, there is only one available cornea for every 70 patients who need one. Precise Bio’s bio-printing process could change that: a single donated cornea might eventually produce hundreds of lab-grown grafts, making sight-restoring surgery far more accessible.
The implant arrives frozen and preloaded in a standard surgical device, then unrolls during implantation, allowing surgeons to use familiar tools and techniques. PB-001 is now being tested in a Phase 1 trial in Israel, with top results expected in late 2026.
“This is a game-changer for regenerative medicine,” said Aryeh Batt, Precise Bio CEO. “For the first time, we can produce corneal tissue on demand, offering hope to millions who face vision loss.”
For the patient, it’s a life-changing moment. For the world, it’s a glimpse of how lab-grown organs could transform medicine.
Another Israeli Medical Breakthrough - World’s First 3D-Printed Cornea Restores a Woman’s Sight
— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) November 19, 2025
A truly historic moment in medical science. Israeli doctors from "Precise Bio" have successfully implanted a fully bio-printed cornea into a woman who had been living with severe… pic.twitter.com/JSeoqc1GUM
*With information from Fierce Biotech
