UK’s First TransForm Inlay Procedure Performed by Sheraz Daya, MD
The first patients in the UK have undergone the TransForm Corneal Allograft (TCA) procedure, which was performed by Sheraz Daya, MD, FACP, FACS, FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth.
TCA is a new procedure being performed as a clinical trial in Europe that uses a microscopic piece of corneal tissue (about the thickness of 3 red cells) to correct the need for reading glasses. The TCA is created using natural human corneal tissue that has been shaped using high precision patented and proprietary technology. These shaped lenticules are placed in the patient’s natural cornea with the aim of reducing or eliminating the need for spectacles.
Dr. Daya, Medical Director of Centre for Sight and Clinical Investigator for Allotex, the manufacturer of the product, performed the UK’s first cases on June 5, 2019 as part of the clinical trial. Both patients had one eye treated and the day following surgery were able to read beyond newspaper print maintaining good distance vision, according to a Centre for Sight news release. Unlike other procedures, this surgery has the advantage of being additive in that a piece of microscopic tissue is added and therefore can be removed if needed.
Patient John Parkes from East Grinstead, West Sussex said he was delighted with his 6/6 distance & near vision. “Overall the experience was very good … very professional and great care throughout the whole process. My vision is near perfect,” he said.
“This is a wonderful procedure for both patient and surgeon,” Dr. Daya said. “While sophisticated and requiring considerable attention to detail, the initial results are excellent and we look forward to performing larger numbers of patients. I do believe this procedure will be mainstream in the future.”
“We are very pleased with the progress and the results of our initial clinical trial. Patient satisfaction has been high, surgeons are comfortable with the procedure, and we are excited about moving into the final phase of the European clinical trials,” Allotex CEO Dr. David Muller said in the news release. “We expect to be able to fully commercialize our TransForm products in Europe within the next 12 months.”