Intacs

In patients who cannot use contact lenses or are not suitable for them, the use of intracorneal ring is recommended if the keratoconus is not advanced. One of the most commonly used intra-corneal rings are Intacs. In this method, the patient is usually under local anesthesia and the rings are placed in a short time by femtosecond laser method.

The characteristics of the intra-corneal rings are as follows:

• Transparent
• Available in micro dimensions
• Thickness may vary according to the amount of degree to be corrected
• Half moon shaped and consists of 2 pieces

Intracorneal rings are not noticed from outside. The most important feature of this lens type is that they are not felt by the patient. When the Intacs lenses are placed in the cornea, bow and acuteness caused by the keratoconus disturbance in the cornea disappear. This results an improvement in myopia. Intacs (corneal rings) are 7 mm in diameter and are hexagonal. In this method, 2 transparent pieces are placed into the cornea. Since these rings are placed by tunneling using laser method, the process is completed in a short time.

HOW ARE INTACS APPLIED?

Intacs is a two-step method. First, the laser tunnel is opened in 15 seconds. The rings are also placed within a maximum of 5 minutes. The patient can return to daily life after the operation. Only drops recommended by the doctor should be used and the patient should be checked for a few weeks. In the Intacs method, the cornea is stretched from the sides such as pulley and corneal correction is provided.

IN WHAT CASE ARE INTACS APPLIED?

• Mild to advanced keratoconus
• Transparent corneal conditions (no corneal stains)
• People who cannot wear contact lenses
• The thickness of the cornea should be at least 400 micrometer in the area where Intacs will be applied.
• People with very slow or stopped progress of keratoconus

IN WHAT CONDITIONS DO INTACS NOT APPLY

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Collagen tissue patients
• Some medications
• In some corneal diseases
• In patients with herpes
• People with Herpes Zoster infection

CAN ANY PROBLEM OCCUR AFTER THE OPERATION?

Some problems may arise after the implantation of the Intacs. These are:

• Improper opening of the tunnels where the rings will be placed
• Patients with large pupils may see halos
• Corneal vascularization
• Microbial eye
• Blood blisters in the eye
• Dislocation of rings

After the operation, it is necessary to use drops for approximately 1 month. However, eye controls are performed on the following day, 1 month and 3 months. Then glasses may be recommended by the doctor. Postoperative slight redness and stinging of the eye may occur, but this is usual, so the patient does not need to worry. The patient can resume his / her normal life the day after surgery. The vision will become clearer day by day.