Clients suffering from keratoconus require treatment to ward off the progression of the condition and restore vision. In the past, a corneal transplant may have been the treatment needed. A corneal transplant is an invasive surgical procedure in which a section of the cornea is removed and then replaced with donor tissue. This procedure has a fairly long recovery time. With the Intacs® surgery, no corneal tissue is removed. The implant functions to reshape the natural cornea for clients with weak collagen fibers, allowing the cornea to shift into a cone-like shape over time. The improvement in vision is typically immediate and recovery time is minimal. Most clients can return to their normal daily lives within two to three days after surgery is completed.
Intacs® Surgery
Intacs® Corneal Implants are used to treat clients who are suffering from myopia and astigmatism related to keratoconus. The treatment is geared to restore functional vision and to avoid or ward off the need for a corneal transplant. Clients with continually degrading vision may be appropriate candidates for this advanced treatment.
Intacs® Surgery: The Facts
Intacs® Corneal Implants are a medical device surgically implanted in the periphery of the cornea. They are available in a range of thicknesses for various degrees of progression of corneal degeneration. This is an extremely delicate eye surgery.
Preparing for Intacs® Surgery
While any eye surgery can make a client anxious, one of the advantages of this procedure is that it is far less invasive than a corneal transplant and it has a very high success rate. The steps involved in the procedure include:
- A thorough eye exam is performed to evaluate the condition of your eyes, and your medical history fully reviewed.
- Once you are determined to be a candidate, the procedure is scheduled.
- Anesthetic drops are applied so the eye area is numbed.
- A tiny incision is made in the surface of the cornea.
- The eye is then prepared for placement of the device. The inner layers of the cornea are delicately separated so the device can be placed. Special equipment is used so the eye is stabilized, with a centering guide placed on the surface of the eye.
- The implant is placed and the tiny incision closed.
- The procedure is complete.
Dr. George Waring IV:Femtosecond Laser and Intacs® Surgery
Dr. George Waring of the Waring Vision Institute in Charleston, SC, is a recognized leader in advanced vision correction surgeries, including Intacs® Corneal Implants. He uses the Femtosecond Laser to perform the procedure. This versatile laser system has made it possible to develop new innovations in eye surgery, as it can be applied extremely precisely and produces minimal damage to the surrounding eye tissue.
Benefits of Intacs® Surgery
Keratoconus and Vision Loss
Keratoconus is a common condition, affecting about one in every thousand people. Onset occurs early in life. The condition may first be discovered when a young client has rapidly advancing myopia and requires a new lens prescription frequently. Once identified, various treatments are available to halt the progression of the condition, including corneal cross linking. To repair vision, it is typically necessary to implant the Intacs® in each eye. As keratoconus is a progressive disease, a person may have severely impaired vision, significantly impacting quality of life.
Get Help from the Waring Vision Institute in Charleston, SC
If you or your child have been diagnosed with keratoconus, it is imperative that a treatment plan is developed as soon as possible. At the Waring Vision Institute, a luxurious, state-of-the-art vision clinic, we offer the most advanced treatments available, including Intacs® surgery. When it comes to your vision, you want a top ophthalmologist to assist you. Dr. George Waring IV is a recognized authority and is consistently involved in clinical trials, research, and the development of new and better treatments. Moreover, Dr. Michael DeCourcey, another highly esteemed ophthalmologist at our institute, is equally dedicated to delivering the highest level of care and innovation in treating keratoconus.
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