Intacs

In this section...

• ICL
• LASIK
• DSAEK
• Corneal Transplant
• Intacts®
• Cataracts
• Eyelid Surgery

 

 

Dr. Awad uses the  IntraLase® laser to create the channels for insertion of the rings. This has the advantage of ensuring these are at uniform depth and accurately placed deep within the corneal stroma. The process of ring insertion is also more comfortable for the patient.

 

 

Intacs®

 

Patients with certain cornea problems do not necessarily need to undergo cornea transplant surgery. If a patient suffers from a condition known as keratoconus, the condition can be treated using prescription corneal inserts called Intacs. Dr. Awad offers Intacs® as a sensible solution to keratoconus. 

About Keratoconus

Keratoconus is an eye disease that causes the cornea (the clear outer part of the eye) to thin over time. As the cornea becomes progressively thinner, the internal pressure of the eye causes the cornea to bulge outward in an irregular cone-like shape. Though keratoconus usually does not result in complete blindness, the condition can seriously affect a person's vision and may require cornea transplant surgery.

In most cases, the condition emerges in a person's teenage years and continues to worsen over time. Keratoconus stabilizes around the 30s and 40s and often affects both eyes. The cause of keratoconus is currently unknown, though some believe that the condition is genetic and could be made worse by a variety of environmental factors. The disease is often treated using rigid contact lenses that reshape the deformed cornea.

What are Intacs®?

Intacs® are specially designed inserts, made of medical plastic, which are surgically placed under the surface of the cornea.  Due to their unique patented design, Intacs® are able to remodel the architecture of the cornea re-establishing a more natural dome-like shape and improving one's vision.  

 

What results can I expect from Intacs®?

The results of Intacs® will vary from patient to patient given the unique nature of each patient's eyes. When we use Intacs®, our main goals are to restore a patient's functional vision and to delay or eliminate the need for a cornea transplant. In some cases, patients who receive Intacs® no longer require the use of prescription lenses or glasses. If a cornea transplant is required in the future, patients with Intacs® often experience no complications following surgery.