The purpose of this procedure called INTACS is to flatten out the cone-like shape in the patient’s cornea enabling them to achieve clearer vision when wearing glasses or comfortably wear contact lenses. This choice is utilized for those patients who are unable to tolerate contact lenses and as a step in preventing or delaying a corneal transplant. INTACS is a less invasive option for a patient with keratoconus.
Keratoconus is a corneal disease that creates a thinning of the tissue. As the outermost layers of the eye get thinned, normal pressure within the eye causes the tissue to slowly bulge forward into a cone-like shape. This steepening causes a decrease in vision. As this process progresses the vision may further deteriorate. Keratoconus rarely leads to blindness; however, it may cause daily activities to be harder to perform. The cause of keratoconus is unknown, however it is believed to be genetically acquired and environmental factors as allergens and the rubbing of the eyes may exacerbate the situation. In most cases, the changes in the cornea due to keratoconus begin in the teen years and stabilize at about 30 years of age. Patients are almost always left highly nearsighted with astigmatism.
Keratoconus is initially treated with rigid contact lenses. The hard lenses flatten the corneal bulge and consequently, improve the patient’s vision.
How do the Intacs work?
The purpose of this procedure is to improve vision and to allow patients to wear more comfortably contacts or glasses. The implants, which look like a letter C, reshape the tissue thereby adding support to the thinning area thus preventing or decreasing the bulging of the cornea. With the implants in position, a more normal surface of the eye is created allowing the patient to have better vision and easier fit for contacts.
What are the benefits of INTACS?
- INTACS may improve your vision by creating a more regular surface of your cornea.
- INTACS may reduce some of the nearsightedness and astigmatism that is associated with keratoconus.
- INTACS preserve the central part of your corneal which is very important for your vision
- INTACS may defer the need of a corneal transplant.
- INTACS may be surgically removed or exchanged by Dr. Bowden.
Imagine your cornea as a tent with a curved top. If you push out the sides of the tent, the top flattens. Similarly, when INTACS corneal implants are placed in the sides of the cornea, they flatten it just enough to correct myopia.
Intacs corneal implants Advantages:
- FDA-approved as safe and effective
- FAA-approved for pilots
- Excellent results – in U.S. clinical studies, 97% of patients saw 20/40 or better with Intacs corneal implants, 74% saw 20/20 or better, and greater than 50% saw 20/16 or better.
- Greater confidence because, unlike laser options, no tissue is removed from the central cornea; the region of the cornea most important for clear vision.
1 In U.S. studies, over half of the patients saw better than 20/16. www.getintacs.com
