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Call for papers - Three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology

Guest Editors

Haider Butt, PhD, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE
Songul Ulag, PhD, Marmara University, Turkey

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 5 February 2026


BMC Ophthalmology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Advances in three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology. 

3D printing has transformed ophthalmology by enabling the creation of customized prosthetics, biocompatible implants, detailed anatomical models, personalized surgical guides, and innovative drug delivery systems. This Collection aims to highlight research that focuses specifically on use of 3D printing in ophthalmology.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Haider Butt, PhD, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE

Professor Haider Butt leads a research group focused on wearable bio-photonics devices at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE. He has earned international recognition for his research and leadership in optical sensors, where he has contributed to nanoscale devices by conceiving novel holographic lithography methods to produce optical transducers. His most pioneering works include glucose-sensing contact lenses, contact lenses for color-blind patients, and carbon nanotube-based high-resolution holograms.

Songul Ulag, PhD, Marmara University, Turkey

Dr Songul Ulag is a researcher at the Marmara University. She received her PhD from Marmara University in the field of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering in 2021 and is currently an assistant professor at Marmara University. Her research interests are 3D bioprinting technology, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and artificial cornea. Dr Ulag has publications on these subjects in SCI-indexed journals. She has 60 original papers, 1 patent applications, 5 national projects, 7 book chapters, and 40 international conference papers. She studied on corneal ulcers and artificial cornea during her thesis and finished project about 3D bioprinting of symblepharon rings for ocular tissue engineering.

About the Collection

BMC Ophthalmology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Advances in three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a transformative process that creates three-dimensional objects from digital files by layering material sequentially. This technology enables the production of complex shapes and structures that are challenging or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Its ability to produce highly customized, patient-specific devices has made it invaluable in the medical field. 

In ophthalmology, 3D printing has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for treating eye conditions and enhancing surgical procedures. This technology enables the creation of customized prosthetics that are precisely tailored to the unique anatomical features of each patient. Recent advancements in 3D printing have introduced new biocompatible materials for implants, high-resolution printing techniques for detailed anatomical models, and personalized surgical guides. Additionally, ongoing research is exploring the potential of 3D-printed drug delivery systems to treat ocular diseases. By leveraging 3D printing, ophthalmologists can achieve an unprecedented level of precision personalized medicine.

The aim of this Collection is to highlight research that focuses specifically on use of 3D printing in ophthalmology. Therefore, this Collection welcomes research articles that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Mechanisms and techniques of 3D printing in ophthalmology
  • Comparative effectiveness of different 3D printing materials and methods
  • Long-term safety and efficacy of 3D-printed ocular prosthetics and orbital implants
  • Innovations in 3D printing for surgical tools and guides
  • Combination therapies involving 3D-printed drug delivery systems.


All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Image credit: © iStock/Getty Images Plus/Gettyimages

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.