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In brief

What is Allotex TransForm?

Allotex TransForm is a wafer-thin inlay made of processed donor corneal tissue for presbyopia. It is placed in the non-dominant eye under a laser incision in the cornea, where it improves near vision. At EyeLaser Zürich, Dr. Victor Derhartunian implants the inlay; the procedure takes around 15 minutes and costs CHF 5’000 per eye.

Allotex TransForm at a glance — EyeLaser Zürich
Principle Inlay made of donor cornea (allogeneic), without living donor cells; no tissue removal
Suitable for Presbyopia, good distance vision without glasses, low astigmatism, usually 45 to 65 years
Not suitable for Keratoconus or a thin, irregular cornea, early cataract, significant short- or long-sightedness
Treated eye the non-dominant eye; the dominant eye remains for distance
Duration, anaesthesia around 15 minutes, outpatient, anaesthesia with eye drops
Reversible the inlay can be removed again
Surgeon Dr. Victor Derhartunian personally
Price CHF 5’000 per eye, follow-up checks during the first three months included
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS on 2 October 2026 · Last updated on 2 October 2026

Who is Allotex TransForm suitable for?

Smiling woman with grey hair resting her folded arms on the back of a chair

Four questions for an initial assessment. If you can answer yes to all of them, the pre-examination is worthwhile:

  • Are you between about 45 and 65 years old?
  • Do you see well at a distance without glasses but need reading glasses for reading?
  • Do you (as far as you know) have no corneal disease such as keratoconus and no cataract?
  • Is it important to you that the procedure can be reversed?

If you are also short- or long-sighted, PresbyMAX is usually a better fit; once the lens starts to become cloudy, lens exchange is. All options at a glance: Presbyopia.

How does Allotex TransForm work?

Close-up of a brown eye with a window reflected in the cornea

The inlay is a tiny, wafer-thin disc made of human donor corneal tissue. It is processed so that it no longer contains any living donor cells. A femtosecond laser creates a thin incision in the cornea of the non-dominant eye; the inlay is placed beneath it, centred over the pupil. It makes the centre of the cornea bulge slightly forward, increasing the depth of focus of this eye for near vision. Unlike laser treatment, no tissue is removed.

In the largest study, with 101 patients, 98.6 % read well at near with both eyes without glasses after four years (16 % before), and 94.4 % saw 20/20 or better at a distance with both eyes (Kilic et al. 2026, co-authors employed by or with a stake in the manufacturer). These are not our own figures.

What speaks for Allotex TransForm, and what against it?

Eyelaser
  • No tissue removal: The inlay adds tissue instead of removing cornea.
  • Reversible: The inlay can be removed. In the study, it was taken out in 3 of 101 patients within the first six months because they did not tolerate the difference between the eyes; all recovered without consequences (Kilic et al. 2026).
  • Your own lens stays: Cataract surgery remains possible later.
  • Please note: The treated eye sees slightly less sharply at a distance; with both eyes open, the dominant eye usually compensates for this. Near vision develops over weeks, not overnight.

Overview

Allotex TransForm™ compared with the other ways out of reading glasses

There is no single best procedure, only the one that suits your eyes and your age. This overview shows how the four options differ — which one is right for you is something we clarify during the pre-examination in Zurich.

Procedures for correcting presbyopia compared — EyeLaser Zürich
Feature Allotex TransForm™ PresbyMAX (laser) EDOF lens Trifocal lens
Principle An inlay made of donor corneal tissue is placed in the cornea The cornea is shaped multifocally with an excimer laser Your own lens is replaced by an artificial lens with an extended focus Your own lens is replaced by an artificial lens with three focal zones
Tissue Additive — tissue is added Ablative — tissue is removed Lens exchange Lens exchange
Typical age from about 45 years from about 45 years from about 55 years, with long-sightedness from about 45 from about 55 years, with long-sightedness from about 45
Reversible Yes — the inlay can be removed No No No
Own lens is preserved is preserved is replaced is replaced
Duration of procedure around 15 minutes, outpatient around 15 minutes for both eyes, outpatient around 15 minutes per eye, outpatient around 15 minutes per eye, outpatient
Later cataract Surgery possible; depending on the findings, the inlay is removed beforehand Surgery possible; the lens calculation is more complex Permanently ruled out — the artificial lens does not become cloudy Permanently ruled out — the artificial lens does not become cloudy
Distance vision preserved with both eyes; the treated eye slightly less sharp small compromise in favour of near vision very good very good
Night vision almost unchanged slight light effects possible good, minimal light effects halos around light sources possible
Cost per eye CHF 5’000 CHF 3’300 CHF 5’000 CHF 5’000

On costs: With refractive lens exchange, treatment costs CHF 5’000 per eye — regardless of which lens is chosen. There is no surcharge for premium lenses. The only surcharge is the optional femtosecond laser assistance (FLACS) at CHF 1’000 per eye. The pre-examination costs CHF 300 and is credited towards treatment.

Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS · Last updated: 17 September 2026

How does treatment with Allotex TransForm work?

1. Free initial consultation and pre-examination

In the free initial consultation (around 20 to 30 minutes), we clarify whether an inlay is an option; the consultation is not conducted by a doctor. The pre-examination (around 90 minutes, CHF 300, credited towards treatment) includes corneal tomography with the MS-39, determination of the dominant eye, pupil and tear film.

2. The procedure

Outpatient; the eye is anaesthetised with drops. The laser incision and insertion of the inlay take around 15 minutes.

3. Follow-up checks and adjustment

Near vision improves over weeks, not overnight. The checks during the first three months are included in the price.

1. Free initial consultation and pre-examination

In the free initial consultation (around 20 to 30 minutes), we clarify whether an inlay is an option; the consultation is not conducted by a doctor. The pre-examination (around 90 minutes, CHF 300, credited towards treatment) includes corneal tomography with the MS-39, determination of the dominant eye, pupil and tear film.

2. The procedure

Outpatient; the eye is anaesthetised with drops. The laser incision and insertion of the inlay take around 15 minutes.

3. Follow-up checks and adjustment

Near vision improves over weeks, not overnight. The checks during the first three months are included in the price.

Who implants Allotex TransForm in Zurich?

Dr Victor Derhartunian

At EyeLaser Zürich, Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS, implants the Allotex TransForm inlay personally. He is one of the few pioneers of this procedure worldwide and has worked in refractive surgery since 2006. He creates the laser incision with the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser.

More about Dr. Victor Derhartunian

Frequently asked questions about Allotex TransForm™ treatment and costs

What is the difference between Allotex TransForm™ and normal laser treatment for presbyopia?

In contrast to ablative laser procedures, in which corneal tissue is removed, Allotex TransForm™ is a purely additive procedure. Tissue is added. This keeps the procedure reversible: the implant can be removed again.

Is the procedure painful?

During the procedure at EyeLaser Zürich, the eye is anaesthetised with drops; you feel pressure but usually no pain. The procedure with Allotex TransForm takes around 15 minutes. Afterwards, burning and a foreign-body sensation may occur for a few hours; you receive prescription drops for this.

What happens if I get a cataract later?

With Allotex TransForm, your own lens is preserved, so cataract surgery remains possible later. Whether the inlay is removed beforehand is decided by EyeLaser Zürich based on the findings, so that the power of the artificial lens can be calculated precisely.

What are the risks associated with this correction of presbyopia?

After Allotex TransForm, sensitivity to glare and a feeling of dryness are common in the first few days. In the largest study, with 101 patients, all corneas were clear after six months; in 3 people the inlay was removed because they did not tolerate the difference between the eyes (Kilic et al. 2026). As with any incision in the cornea, inflammation and infection are possible. EyeLaser Zürich discusses these risks with you before the procedure.

What are the costs for the Allotex TransForm™ implant in Zurich?

Allotex TransForm costs CHF 5’000 per eye. This includes the procedure and the follow-up checks of the first three months; the pre-examination (CHF 300) is credited, and medication is prescribed and collected at a pharmacy.

Allotex TransForm or PresbyMAX — which is the better fit?

Allotex TransForm is a good fit if you see well at a distance without glasses and value a reversible procedure; it costs CHF 5’000 per eye. PresbyMAX is a laser profile for CHF 3’300 per eye and corrects short- or long-sightedness at the same time, but it is not reversible. At EyeLaser Zürich, the measurements from the pre-examination decide.

How long does Allotex TransForm last?

Allotex TransForm is designed to be permanent; the longest published data cover more than four years. In this study with 101 patients, near vision remained stable: after four years, 98.6 % read well with both eyes without glasses (Kilic et al. 2026). Presbyopia continues to progress; at EyeLaser Zürich we check this every year.

Does health insurance pay for Allotex TransForm?

No, basic health insurance does not pay for Allotex TransForm, because treating presbyopia is an elective procedure. Supplementary insurance policies sometimes contribute CHF 500 to 1’500. EyeLaser Zürich recommends obtaining a cost approval beforehand; you can pay in instalments interest-free over six months.

Sources
  1. Kilic A, Cummings A, Stodulka P et al. Corneal Allograft for Near Vision Improvement in Emmetropic Presbyopia: 4-Year Safety and Efficacy Results From a Prospective European Multicenter Clinical Trial. J Refract Surg 2026;42:e100–e107. Several authors employed by or with a stake in Allotex. PubMed 41665327
  2. Keskin Perk FFN, Taneri S, Tanriverdi C et al. Increasing depth of focus with allogeneic presbyopic inlays: 3-year results. J Cataract Refract Surg 2023;49:1005–1010. PubMed 37487178

Is Allotex TransForm right for your eyes?

You take the first step in the free initial consultation at Strehlgasse 33 in Zurich. The pre-examination then shows whether the inlay is safe for your eye.

Check suitability All prices from age 45

Online appointment