Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea begins to bulge outward in a cone shape. It is caused when the fibers of protein in the eye become weak and cannot hold the normal dome shape. It usually occurs to people in their teens and early 20s. Keratoconus can make it impossible for the eye to focus properly and can cause sensitivity to light as well as glare.
At Inland Eye Institute, we offer Intacs® corneal implants as a treatment for keratoconus.
How Intacs® Work
Intacs® are small, micro-thin corneal implants that are inserted into your cornea. They are designed to reshape the curvature of the cornea – not by removing corneal tissue as in LASIK surgery – but by adding ultra-thin ring segments to push out the sides of your cornea, shaping your eye so it is round again.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes per eye.
- A small incision is made on the cornea.
- Your doctor separates the inner layers of the cornea to allow for the insertion of the implant.
- The implants are carefully and gently placed into the eye to flatten the cornea.
- The incision is closed.
After the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home. Some patients report seeing better after the first day; others may need a couple days of rest to maximize healing time. Depending on your degree of keratoconus, you may still need glasses or contact lenses for functional vision.
Benefits of Intacs
- Corrects mild nearsightedness
- Virtually invisible
- Comfortable
- Maintenance-free
- Permanent solution for keratoconus
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with keratoconus and would like to learn more about Intacs® corneal implants, please contact our team today to schedule an eye exam.
