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Struggling with reading glasses? Discover the next step in natural near vision correction.
Allotex is a minimally invasive option for treating presbyopia using human corneal donor tissue – now available at Sandton Eye Clinic.
Conditions Allotex Allograft Inlays Can Correct
Presbyopia
A condition that affects near vision as the eye’s natural lens loses flexibility with age. Allotex Allograft inlay on its own is suitable for patients who require reading glasses for near tasks but do not have other refractive errors.
Presbyopia and additional refractive errors
The Allotex procedure may be combined with LASIK to achieve optimal visual outcomes for patients that need bifocal or multifocal glasses.
How Allotex Allograft Inlay Works | Step by Step
1. Cornea is Measured & Mapped
- Your ophthalmologist will measure corneal thickness and take a detailed scan of its surface.
- These measurements program the computer-controlled laser for creating the flap.
- Numbing drops are applied to prevent discomfort.
- A gentle eyelid holder prevents blinking during the procedure.
2. Corneal Flap is Created
- A suction ring is placed on the eye to stabilize movement.
- A femtosecond laser creates millions of microscopic bubbles to gently separate corneal tissue.
- You may feel pressure, similar to a finger pressing on your eyelid, and your vision may go dim or black temporarily.
3. Corneal flap is lifted
- The laser-created flap is lifted and folded back, like opening a book.
- For patients that also need correction of other refractive errors your surgeon may also reshape the cornea to combine the procedure with LASIK at this stage.
4. Allotex Inlay is placed
Your surgeon will place the Allotex inlay on the central part of the exposed cornea.
5. Flap is replaced
- The flap is carefully placed back in position, where it naturally reattaches within minutes.
- A transparent protective shield is placed over your eye.
Vision After Allotex
The goal of the Allotex procedure is to improve your near vision, particularly for activities like reading or using a phone, while maintaining good distance vision.
In some cases, there may be a slight compromise in distance clarity in the treated eye to achieve better near vision, but overall binocular distance vision is usually preserved.
When combined with LASIK other refractive errors are also addressed.
What if I Am Not a Allotex Inlay Candidate?
If Allotex isn’t right for you, there are alternative refractive procedures available:
- PresbyPRK – A good option for thin corneas
- Presbyopic Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) – An alternative for extreme myopia or hyperopia combined with presbyopia
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) – Suitable for older patients with lens changes
Your ophthalmologist will recommend the best option based on your eye health and vision goals.
Allotex FAQs
Everything you need to know about Allotex Allograft Inlay.
LASIK & LONGEVITY
How long does Allotex last? Will my eyesight deteriorate again later in life?
The Allotex inlay is designed to provide long-term improvement in near vision. Clinical studies have shown that results can remain stable for at least three years and beyond, with about a 5% risk of regression over 3 years. This can be corrected by an enhancement.
Conditions such as cataracts or further changes in your lens may affect your vision later in life. If needed, the Allotex inlay can be safely removed or adjusted, and further treatment options can be considered in the future.
Will my Allotex inlay be a problem if I need cataract surgery later in life?
No, the Allotex inlay will not prevent you from having cataract surgery in the future. When the time comes, you and your refractive surgeon will evaluate the best approach based on your eye health and lifestyle needs. You’ll typically have two options:
- 1. Keep the Allotex inlay and receive a monofocal intraocular lens during cataract surgery.
- 2. Remove the Allotex inlay and consider a multifocal intraocular lens.
Ophthalmic technology continues to evolve, and your surgeon will guide you in choosing the most suitable solution available at that stage of your life.
SAFETY & RISKS
How long has Allotex been used?
The idea of using natural corneal tissue to correct vision dates back to 1949. However, modern Allotex TransForm inlays became possible in the 2010s, thanks to advances in laser technology and tissue sterilisation. Clinical studies began shortly thereafter, with early results presented at international conferences like ASCRS 2019.
Since then, Allotex has been used in multicentre clinical studies for both presbyopia and hyperopia, with follow-up data showing stable, long-term results for up to 3 years. These studies confirmed that the inlay is safe, effective, and well tolerated in properly selected patients.
What are the possible risks and side effects of Allotex?
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks and potential side effects. Most are temporary and resolve on their own, while serious complications are very rare.
Common temporary side effects include:
• Mild discomfort or a foreign body sensation
• Light sensitivity
• Dry eye symptoms
• Glare or halos around lights
• Fluctuations in vision during healing
Less common or treatable complications may include:
• Mild corneal haze or inflammation
• Epithelial ingrowth (growth of surface cells under the flap)
• Decentration of the inlay (may require repositioning)
• Over- or under-correction (may require enhancement or additional treatment)
Serious complications are rare but can include:
• Infection
• Irregular healing or corneal scarring
• Corneal ectasia (weakening of the cornea)
• Reduced best corrected vision
If needed, the Allotex inlay can be safely removed. Your surgeon will discuss all risks with you during your consultation and ensure you understand what to expect based on your specific eye health.
What are the best vision correction options for different age groups?
- Ages 18 to 40 – LASIK, PRK or implantable contact lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- Ages 40 to 55 - PresbyLASIK, Allotex Allograft Inlay or implantable contact lenses to reduce dependence on reading glasses.
- Ages 55+ - Cataract surgery or custom lens replacement with multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) for long-term spectacle independence.
PROCEDURE & CANDIDACY
What vision problems can Allotex correct?
Allotex Corrects Presbyopia. It can be combined with LASIK to address other refractive errors at the same time.
What are the alternatives to Allotex?
Allotex is one of several options available for treating presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). Depending on your eye health, vision goals, and lifestyle, your ophthalmologist may discuss the following alternatives with you:
- Reading glasses – A non-surgical solution that corrects near vision.
- Multifocal Contact Lenses – Designed to improve both near and distance vision.
- PresbyLASIK or PresbyPRK - A laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to achieve blended vision.
- Synthetic Corneal Inlays - Inlays made from synthetic materials, as opposed to Allotex’s natural corneal tissue.
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) - A surgical procedure that replaces the eye’s natural lens with a multifocal intraocular lens.
Your ophthalmologist will help you choose the most appropriate option based on your individual visual needs and long-term goals.
What’s the difference between Allotex and synthetic inlays?
Allotex uses natural, sterilised human corneal tissue. It’s 100% biocompatible and integrates with your eye’s structure – unlike synthetic inlays.
What’s the difference between PresbyLASIK and Allotex?
Which One Is Right for You?
Both options offer excellent outcomes when matched to the right patient. Your surgeon will assess your eye health, vision goals, and lifestyle needs to recommend the best solution for you.
PresbyLASIK and Allotex are both advanced treatments for presbyopia, the age-related loss of near vision. Both procedures involve creating a thin flap in the cornea using a femtosecond laser, which is gently lifted like a page in a book. However, the way they correct vision differs significantly.
PresbyLASIK: Laser-Based Tissue Removal
PresbyLASIK uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue. The goal is to create blended vision, where:
- One eye is adjusted for near vision
- The other is set for distance vision
- And both overlap in intermediate focus
This procedure can simultaneously correct other refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Because the focus of the eyes is adjusted differently, it may take time for the brain to fully adapt to the new visual system.
Allotex: Tissue Addition with a Natural Inlay
Allotex takes a different approach by adding rather than removing tissue. A biocompatible corneal inlay made from donor human tissue is placed under the corneal flap to gently change the curvature. This allows one eye to focus better at near and the other at distance, similar to PresbyLASIK.
Adaptation is believed to be smoother for Allotex patients. For patients who found it difficult to adjust to blended vision with contact lenses, Allotex may be a more comfortable option.
If other refractive errors are present (like myopia or astigmatism), they can be corrected first with LASIK before placing the Allotex inlay.
Feature
| PresbyLASIK
| Allotex
Technique
Laser reshaping (tissue removal)
Inlay placement (tissue addition)
Tissue used
None (removal only)
Human donor corneal tissue (biocompatible)
Adaptation time
6 weeks to 3 months
Typically easier adaptation
Treats other refractive errors
Yes, at the same time
No, may be corrected with LASIK
Reversibility
Permanent reshaping
Reversible/ removable inlay
POST-PROCEDURE & RECOVERY
How long does recovery after Allotex take?
Recovery after the Allotex procedure is usually quick and comfortable. Most patients return to normal daily activities within 1 to 3 days, although vision may continue to stabilise over the following weeks.
You may notice improved near vision within the first few days, with further refinement as your brain adapts to the new visual focus. Mild side effects like light sensitivity, dryness, or glare are common during early healing and typically improve over time.
Your surgeon will monitor your recovery through follow-up visits and ensure your healing is progressing as expected.
Will I still need glasses after Allotex?
The goal of Allotex is to reduce your dependence on reading glasses by improving your near and intermediate vision. However, some patients may still benefit from wearing glasses in specific situations:
• Office or computer glasses may be recommended for prolonged screen time or detailed reading, to provide additional comfort.
• Driving glasses, particularly for night driving, might be suggested if you experience glare, halos, or starbursts around lights. These night vision disturbances are common in the early healing phase and often improve over time, but mild symptoms may persist in some form.
Your visual needs will be assessed during your follow-up visits, and if any additional correction is needed, it can usually be managed with occasional glasses tailored to specific activities.
