Over 2.2 billion people across the globe face significant barriers to accessing essential ophthalmic care, with elderly, rural, and refugee populations being disproportionately affected, deepening existing disparities in eye care. Three-dimensional printing is a novel technology that has the potential to transform the field and improve access by alleviating many patient-specific barriers. This article delves into the evolution of 3D printing within ophthalmology, highlighting its current applications and future potential. It explores various 3D printing techniques and numerous biomaterials discussing their effectiveness in creating advanced solutions such as bioengineered corneas, ocular prosthetics, and innovative treatments for dry eye syndrome, from punctal plugs to lacrimal gland models. Additionally, 3D printing has revolutionized drug delivery systems for conditions like glaucoma, retinal diseases, and ocular brachytherapy. Whether through 3D printed contact lens-based drug delivery systems or polycaprolactone implants that biodegrade and provide sustained drug release without adverse effects, these systems hold immense potential in the field. Despite its promise, the integration of 3D printing into clinical practice presents challenges, which the article addresses alongside strategies for overcoming them. By mapping out the technological advancements and challenges, this review offers a roadmap for enhancing global eye care accessibility and improving patient outcomes on a global scale.

Bilateral hydrocele of the canal of Nuck (HCN) is very rare, in adult females. Primary care physicians can misdiagnose this pathology without diagnostic imaging. A 37-year-old female complained of right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, for a few months, reported to the emergency room. A non-reducible bulging protrusion was visualized in the RLQ. After performing the necessary blood work, the emergency physician ordered an emergent sonogram and computed tomography (CT). A transvaginal sonogram was performed to exclude gross adnexal masses, in the RLQ. An HCN canal was suspected in the right inguinal region. A non-contrast CT demonstrated a bilateral HCN, with the left significantly smaller than the right. In this case, a bilateral surgical excision of the hydrocele was recommended. Owing to the recurrence of the HCN, a cyst aspiration was not suggested. Physicians should consider the diagnosis of HCN in any female presenting with inguinolabial swelling. Sonography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the three diagnostic imaging techniques commonly used to diagnose this pathology. A multimodality approach is sometimes necessary when the sonography diagnosis is no definitve.

An appendiceal mucocele (AM) is a rare right lower quadrant gastrointestinal pathology, frequently misdiagnosed during a diagnostic evaluation. An AM refers to a mucin-filled appendix caused by a complex interplay of pathophysiologic processes, most commonly obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. This case series presents three patient cases that used a diagnostic multimodality imaging approach to diagnose AM, to insure appropriate clinical management. The unique imaging characteristics of sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) utilized for the diagnosis of AM are discussed briefly, as part of this case series report.

Over 2.2 billion people across the globe face significant barriers to accessing essential ophthalmic care, with elderly, rural, and refugee populations being disproportionately affected. These obsta-cles deepen existing disparities in eye care. 3D printing is a novel technology that has the potential to transform the field and improve access through alleviating many patient-specific barriers. This article delves into the evolution of 3D printing within ophthalmology, highlighting its current ap-plications and future potential. It explores various 3D printing techniques and biomaterials, dis-cussing their effectiveness in creating advanced solutions such as bioengineered corneas, ocular prosthetics, and innovative treatments for dry eye syndrome. Additionally, 3D printing has rev-olutionized drug delivery systems for conditions like glaucoma, retinal diseases, and for ocular brachytherapy. Despite its promise, the integration of 3D printing into clinical practice presents challenges, which the article addresses alongside strategies for overcoming them. By mapping out the technological advancements and challenges, this review offers a roadmap for enhancing global eye care accessibility and improving patient outcomes on a global scale.