ESCRS - FP23.06 - Reversibility Of Stromal Allograft Corneal Inlays: Long-Term Outcomes After Explantation

Reversibility Of Stromal Allograft Corneal Inlays: Long-Term Outcomes After Explantation

Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: FP23.06 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/b7r3-9k24

Authors: Prof. Dr Aylin Kilic* 1 , Mr Arthur Cummings 2 , Mr Sheraz Daya 3 , Prof. Dr Michael Mrochen 4

1Clinic,Swiss Vision Group,Istanbul,Türkiye;Eye Clinic,Biruni University,Istanbul,Türkiye, 2Owner,Wellington Eye Clinic,Dublin,Ireland, 3Eye Clinic,Center for Sight,East Grinstead,United Kingdom, 4Management,IROC Science to Innovation,Zug,Switzerland;Management,Allotex,Milano,Italy;Management,Pallas Clinic,Olten,Switzerland

Purpose

To evaluate the reversibility and long-term corneal safety of stromal allograft corneal inlays following explantation in emmetropic presbyopic patients.

Setting

Prospective, multicenter clinical study.at 5 sites in Europe

Methods

In a cohort of 101 eyes treated with sterile human stromal allograft corneal inlays for presbyopia correction, three eyes (2.97%) required explantation due to patient dissatisfaction associated with refractive shift and visual symptoms. Pre- and postoperative evaluation included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA, BCDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), corneal topography, and epithelial thickness mapping. Patients were followed for up to 4 years after removal.

Results

All explanted eyes demonstrated recovery of distance visual acuity to preoperative levels or better. Final MRSE returned to within ±0.25 D of baseline in all cases. No persistent loss of ≥1 lines of BCDVA occurred. Corneal imaging showed normalization of epithelial thickness profiles after explantation. No long-term stromal haze, scarring, thinning, or structural abnormalities were observed throughout follow-up.

Conclusions

Stromal allograft corneal inlays demonstrated a low explantation rate with complete refractive and structural recovery following removal. These findings support the biological reversibility and long-term safety of this tissue addition approach in presbyopia management.