Intracorneal Ring Implants (INTACS) are a vision correction option to treat low to moderate levels of myopia. At the Emmetropia Laser Refractive Center, INTACS are used to correct myopia in patients who have keratoconus and those who have residual myopia following laser refractive surgery.
As with other procedures to correct myopia, INTACS are designed to alter the shape of the cornea. INTACS consist of two, tiny plastic half-rings that the doctor inserts through an opening near the outer edge of the cornea. The plastic half-rings rest between the layers of tissue outside the central optical zone of the cornea, much like placing a pencil between the pages of a book. This placement flattens the cornea, improving vision for those with myopia. The INTACS rest below the surface of the eye so they cannot be felt. They can be removed or changed to accommodate changing vision needs, if necessary.
Key features of INTACS
- a less invasive treatment option than corneal transplantation for moderate to advanced keratoconus
- no laser, no tissue removal
- central part of cornea remains untouched
- can be removed or changed, if necessary
