Austin TX Intacs Corneal Inserts for Keratoconus

How Intacs Inserts Work

Intacs corneal inserts are small plastic inserts placed just under the surface of the eye and work by reshaping the cornea. As the Intacs flatten the cornea, the light rays that enter the eye are refocused and vision is improved. Intacs are made of the same biocompatible material as intraocular lens implants (IOLs). They come in different levels of thickness. A thicker ring offers greater flattening correction while a thinner ring offers more mild improvement. Prior to your procedure, our team will evaluate your eyes and the severity of your condition in order to determine what amount of vision correction you need.

The Intacs procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that only takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete in our office. Before placing the Intacs, your eyes will be numbed with eye drops to keep you comfortable through the procedure. To begin the placement process, we will make a tiny incision on the surface of the cornea. We will create a tunnel through the cornea’s stroma layer, avoiding the central optical zone. We will then insert the Intacs through the tunnel and onto the central layer. The incision is then closed with a small suture.

Intacs corneal implants are designed to provide long-term vision improvement from keratoconus, potentially postponing the needed for corneal transplantation. The procedure is reversible; if the Intacs do not provide the desired amount of vision correction, or in case of a (rare) problem, they can be removed and exchanged. If Intacs are removed, your eyesight will return to its pre-Intacs state within three months.