To study the use of acellular dermal allografts for the reconstruction of contracted anophthalmic sockets.

A retrospective analysis was performed on 12 patients with contracted sockets who underwent reconstructive surgery using acellular dermal allografts from 2002 to 2006.

The mean age of the patients was 44.4 years. The mean duration of conjunctival sac contracture after removal of the eyeball was 21.4 years. In 4 patients, acellular dermal allografts were used as spacer grafts to elevate the eyelids, and in 8 patients the allografts were used as a conjunctival grafting material. All patients were able to wear ocular prostheses comfortably 2.2 months after surgery with acceptable cosmesis. There were no serious complications, such as infections or graft rejections during follow-up period.

When used as conjunctival grafting materials and tarsal substitutes to elevate patients' eyelids, acellular dermal allografts gave cosmetically and functionally acceptable results in the surgical rehabilitation of contracted sockets.