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INTACS
These
tiny plastic segments are inserted into a corneal tunnel
made by a special hand held device that attaches to
the cornea. They are inserted under topical anesthesia,
generally in the setting of a minor operating room equipped
with a surgical microscope. The ring consists of two
half circles inserted independently into the corneal
tunnel. A distortion and central flattening of the corneal
curvature is accomplished.
Advantages include the ability
to remove the rings and restore the original corneal curvature
(reversibility) and avoidance of making cuts or laser treatments
in the central visual axis (essentially eliminating the risk
of central corneal scarring). Disadvantages include the fact
that only a narrow range of refractive error can currently be
treated and astigmatism cannot be treated. The rings are approved for myopia (near-sightedness) of between -1.00 and -3.00.
There is a small risk of peripheral
corneal scarring and changes when the ring is removed, and a
small risk of entering the eye when creating the corneal tunnel.
Sutures are required to close the tunnel. The exact role and
demand this procedure will attain in the future as compared to
laser vision correction remains to be determined. |
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