Two cases of AlphaCor surgery performed using a small incision technique.

The authors have evaluated the AlphaCor artificial cornea (previously Chirila KPro) in human patients since 1998, utilizing an intrastromal technique requiring extensive corneal lamellar dissection and recommending conjunctival flaps in all cases. Recent availability of low-profile instruments has facilitated a simpler technique, which was first evaluated in two subjects followed for over 1 year prior to recommending the technique for wider adoption. The new technique is presented and illustrated herein, and its benefits and limitations compared with the traditional AlphaCor implantation are discussed.