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Intacs (Intracorneal Rings)
Intacs is a recent and surgically removable treatment for the correction of visual dysfunction. Thus, patients who elect to have Intacs are not “locked in” to the procedure forever, as are patients who undergo other refractive procedures such as LASIK and PRK.
Vision correction with Intacs requires implanting the micro-thin intracorneal rings into the cornea by Dr Snyder. Intacs produce a reshaping of the curvature of the cornea, reliably reducing low degrees nearsightedness. Intacs cannot be felt by the patient, require no maintenance, and are probably less visible than a contact lens to the naked eye. Intacs, although new, have been studied for 10 years and are FDA approved. The primary drawback at the present time is that Intacs are only available in the U.S. for low degrees of nearsightedness, between -1.00 to –3.00 diopters. However, these levels of myopia account for about 54% of all nearsighted individuals.
Intacs are also prescription inserts, and they can be removed or replaced if your vision needs change or there is any dissatisfaction with the corneal ring inserts. In the U.S. clinical trials, the few individuals who chose to have the rings removed were all subsequently able to be corrected to 20/20 or better vision.
Intacs produce excellent results. In U.S. clinical studies, 97% of patients saw 20/40 or better, 74% saw 20/20 or better, and 53% saw 20/16 or better. Furthermore, placement of Intacs maintains the “normal” positive asphericity (shape) of the cornea whereas Excimer laser procedures such as LASIK and PRK frequently produce oblate corneas. The latter condition may result in reduced contrast sensitivity. Visual correction with Intacs is also rapid and stable. Eighty percent of patients have 20/40 or better vision the day after surgery. A year after surgery, over 50% of patients see 20/16 or better as a result of their first procedure, without enhancements.
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