Allotex (TransForm Corneal Allograft) is a corneal treatment for presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision. A wafer-thin, transparent disc of sterilised human corneal tissue is laser-shaped to a precise optical profile and implanted into a pocket in the cornea, usually of the non-dominant eye, to restore reading vision. Because it is natural, acellular human corneal collagen, it integrates biologically, transmits light well, and is removable if ever needed — unlike permanent synthetic inlays. At our partner clinic, Allotex is from £3,200 per treated eye, all-inclusive of assessment, the allograft, the procedure, drops and follow-ups. Usually one eye is treated for reading.
What is Allotex and presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects. It is a normal part of ageing — the natural lens stiffens from around your mid-40s — and it is why most people need reading glasses or bifocals from their late 40s onward, even if they have never worn glasses before. It affects close work most: reading, phones, menus and screens.
Allotex, also known as the TransForm Corneal Allograft, treats presbyopia by adding a tiny, laser-shaped disc of donor corneal tissue (a corneal allograft, or stromal lenticule) to the cornea. The disc is sterilised, acellular human collagen — the same material your own cornea is made of — so the eye accepts it naturally and light passes through it clearly. Shaping it with an excimer laser gives it an optical profile that increases the eye's near-focusing power, restoring reading vision in the treated eye.
Two features set Allotex apart. It is additive — no corneal tissue is removed, so the procedure does not weaken the cornea or use up future options the way tissue-removing laser surgery can. And it is reversible — because the allograft sits in a pocket rather than being permanently fused, it can be removed if your needs or vision change, which is not the case with older synthetic corneal inlays. It is also cornea-based, so it does not touch the eye's natural lens.
Is Allotex right for me?
- You are in your 40s to 60s and notice reading vision slipping
- You want spectacle freedom for near tasks — phones, menus, books, screens
- You prefer a natural, tissue-based option over a synthetic implant
- You value reversibility — keeping future treatment options open
- You would rather not have your natural lens removed at this stage
- You are a suitable candidate after assessment — confirmed by corneal scans and refraction
Wondering if you are a candidate? A presbyopia assessment includes corneal topography, refraction and dominance testing to confirm whether Allotex suits your eyes.
Book a presbyopia assessmentPresbyopia treatment options — how Allotex compares
There is no single "best" treatment for presbyopia — the right choice depends on your eyes, your lifestyle and how much you value reversibility. Before any surgical option, simpler routes such as reading glasses, presbyopia eye drops (for example Vuity or Brimochol PF) and contact lenses are always worth discussing. Among the surgical and corneal options, here is how Allotex sits alongside the main alternatives.
Other options your consultant may discuss include presbyopic ICLs (such as the EVO Viva) and the synthetic TransForm corneal inlay. Allotex's distinguishing strengths are that it is cornea-based, tissue-additive and reversible, which preserves your future options — if your prescription changes, or if you later need cataract surgery, the allograft can be removed. You can read more about the underlying eye change on our presbyopia and refractive error page.
What happens during the Allotex procedure
Allotex is performed as a quick day case under local anaesthetic eye drops. You stay awake and feel no pain — only mild pressure and light. Most patients are in and out within a couple of hours, and the treatment itself takes around 15 minutes. Usually only the non-dominant eye is treated, to provide near vision while the dominant eye continues to give clear distance vision.
- Numbing drops are placed in your eye and the area is cleaned with sterile solution.
- A femtosecond laser creates a thin pocket within the layers of your cornea — no tissue is removed.
- The laser-shaped corneal allograft, prepared to your precise optical profile, is gently inserted into the pocket.
- The surgeon centres the allograft over your pupil so it sits exactly where it needs to for reading vision.
- The eye is checked and you rest briefly before going home — usually the same morning.
Recovery week-by-week
Near vision improves gradually as the eye settles, typically over days to weeks rather than instantly. Here is what to expect:
Day of procedure
Vision may be hazy and the eye a little sensitive for the first hours. You go home the same day. Eye drops begin; no rubbing the eye.
Days 1–7
Mild grittiness or watering is normal and settles. Reading vision in the treated eye starts to come through. Most resume gentle daily activities.
Week 1
First review. Your consultant checks healing and the position of the allograft. Drops continue as prescribed.
Weeks 2–4
Near vision continues to strengthen as healing settles and the brain adapts to the new reading eye. Around one month, a further review.
Beyond a month
Reading vision is more settled and most patients rely far less on reading glasses. If anything ever needs adjusting, the allograft is removable.
Cost & insurance
Allotex pricing at our partner clinic is all-inclusive: your assessment, the shaped corneal allograft, the procedure itself, post-op drops and your follow-up reviews. Your final quote is confirmed at consultation once your eyes have been assessed. Usually one eye is treated for reading.
- Self-pay: from £3,200 per treated eye, all-inclusive.
- Insurance: options available — our team can discuss cover with you.
- Finance: 0% finance options available to spread the cost.
For a full breakdown and how Allotex compares with other presbyopia treatments, see our prices and finance pages.