Allogenic Corneal Iris Segment Implantation for Repair of Large Iris Defect: The Antep Procedure.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel technique for repairing large iris defects using an allogenic corneal iris segment (ACIS), referred to as the Antep procedure, and to present its application in two challenging clinical cases.

METHODS

Two cases with significant iris loss and photic symptoms underwent ACIS implantation. The ACIS was shaped into a crescent-shaped segment specifically designed to cover the iris defect and stained with trypan blue. It was then positioned in the anterior chamber and secured with three-point fixation at the nasal and temporal positions to the residual iris and superiorly to the sclera.

RESULTS

In both patients, ACIS implantation provided effective anatomical reconstruction of the iris defect and led to meaningful functional improvement, particularly in photic symptoms. The segments remained well positioned throughout follow-up, and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The Antep procedure offers a biologically integrated, low-cost, and technically feasible option for reconstruction of large iris defects. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted to evaluate long-term outcomes and broader applicability.