3D Printed Galilean Telescope for Low-Vision Patients

Low vision is a condition in which a person experiences a significant loss of visual acuity or visual field that ordinary glasses, surgery, or medication cannot correct. Individuals suffering from this condition struggle to perform daily tasks, even when using glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, telescopes are recommended for patients with low vision diagnosis because they could help them improve their quality of life. Therefore, we propose a 3D-printed Galilean telescope for low-vision patients, accessible to both the vulnerable and nonvulnerable sectors of the population, with the advantages that the fabrication time, cost, and weight are considerably reduced. The performance of the 3D-printed Galilean telescope was evaluated by comparing it to an identical N-BK7 glass Galilean telescope design, obtaining a difference of 0.49 lp/mm in optical resolution. Clinical results from a patient with low vision, obtained as part of a proof-of-concept study, showed that the 3D-printed Galilean telescope improved the patient’s visual acuity, increasing it by up to 4 lines on the LEA numbers, from 10/80 to 10/32. Additionally, the 3D telescope enhanced the patient’s contrast sensitivity, improving it from 6 cpd (cycles per degree) level 8 to 18 cpd level 4.