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Allotex Europe
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Tissue Technology

Tissue technology for the cornea represents an innovative approach wherein healthy corneal tissue from a donor is carefully integrated into the existing cornea of a recipient to enhance its structure and function. This technique is especially valuable, given that the cornea plays a critical role in focusing incoming light onto the eye's interior. By precisely shaping and grafting this tissue, tissue technology aims to restore optical clarity and improve vision quality. This procedure holds significant potential for individuals affected by various visual disorders, including presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, and keratoconus, providing them with a renewed opportunity to achieve better vision and an improved quality of life.

Benefits of Tissue Addition Technology

Tissue addition technology is a promising alternative to treatments such as LASIK, PRK, and laser-assisted lenticule extraction (LALE) that remove tissue. Tissue addition strengthens the corneal structure through the addition of allograft material. The technology expands the capabilities of refractive surgery by addressing challenges such as emmetropic presbyopia and pronounced hyperopia in young patients.

Corneal allogenic inlays offer numerous potential benefits as they are minimally invasive and additive, do not require corneal tissue removal, preserve future options for refractive correction, and are removable in case of complications or patient intolerance.

Safety First

Tissue products, especially those derived from human donors, inherently possess biological compatibility that seamlessly integrates with the recipient's ocular tissue. This compatibility is largely attributed to the 'immune privilege' of the cornea, a unique characteristic that reduces the likelihood of immune rejection. In contrast, biosynthetic implants, despite their precision and uniformity, have faced challenges in ocular applications, primarily due to biocompatibility issues. The body's immune system often recognizes these biosynthetic materials as foreign, triggering inflammatory responses that can lead to complications such as chronic inflammation, implant rejection, or scarring.

History

1949

Dr. Barraquer spearheads using human tissue to change refractive surface. However, there was a technology issue related to the cut and measurement accuracy

Barraquer - Allotex Europe

1986

Allergan gives it a go, but runs into same issues of accuracy

Allergan - Allotex Europe

Late 1990s

With the approval of the Excimer laser, focus of refractive surgeons shifts to laser vision correction

Excimer Laser - Allotex Europe

Late 1990s

Synthetic Corneal Inlays for presbyopia bring new focus to inlays. OCT provides measurement accuracy, and patient and MD excitement grows

N.B.: Synthetic Corneal Inlays are no longer available on the market due to recalls issued by safety Authorities

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2000s

VisionGift provides sterile corneas that are shelf-life stable for two years

VisionGift Logo - Allotex Europe

2016

Allotex introduces an innovative tissue addition technology thanks to the unique combination of Excimer laser + OCT + shelf-stable sterile cornea

0006 - Allotex Europe