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Intracorneal Rings for the Treatment of Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive disorder that is characterized by thinning and cone-like bulging (steepening) of the cornea. In its earliest stages, keratoconus causes slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to glare and light. Symptoms usually first appear in the late teens and early twenties. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years and then slow in its progression. It can ultimately result in a dramatic decrease in the ability to see clearly with glasses. Rigid contact lenses are the primary method of treatment for mild cases. Advanced cases, characterized by severe steepening of the cornea and/or corneal scarring, and are treated with corneal transplantation. A relatively new technology called INTACS may offer a less invasive option for the treatment of moderate to advanced keratoconus.
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.
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