In patients who cannot use contact lenses or who are not suitable for this lens, the use of an intracorneal ring is recommended unless keratoconus is advanced. One of the most commonly used intracorneal rings is Intacs. In this method, the patient is usually under local anesthesia and the rings are placed in a short time with the femtosecond laser method.
The features of intracorneal rings are as follows:
It is transparent
Available in micro sizes
Its thickness may vary depending on the degree to be corrected.
It is in the shape of a half moon and consists of 2 parts.
Inner corneal rings are not noticeable when viewed from the outside. The most important feature is that this type of lens does not have the same sensation felt by the patient as in contact lenses. When Intacs lenses are placed on the cornea, the curve and sharpness caused by keratoconus disappear. In this way, the person’s myopia improves. Intacs (corneal rings) rings are 7 mm in diameter and are hexagonal. In this method, two transparent pieces are placed into the cornea. Since these rings are placed by tunneling using the laser method, the process is completed in a short time.
How is Intacs Applied?
Intacs is a method applied in 2 stages. First of all, a tunnel is opened with a laser in 15 seconds. The rings are placed within a maximum of 5 minutes. After the operation, the patient can return to daily life. Only the drops recommended by the doctor should be used for a few weeks and come for a check-up. In the Intacs method, the cornea is stretched from the sides like a hoop and correction is achieved in the cornea.
In Which Situations Is Intacs Applied?
Mild to moderate keratoconus
In cases of clear cornea (there should be no stain on the cornea)
People who cannot use contact lenses
The corneal thickness in the area where Inracs will be used must be at least 400 microms.
People whose keratoconus progression has slowed down or stopped
In Which Situations Is Intacs Not Applicable?
in pregnant women
In breastfeeding women
In collagen tissue patients
In the use of some drugs
In some corneal diseases
Those with eye herpes
People with Herpes Zoster infection
Will There Be Any Problems After the Operation?
Some problems may arise after the application of the Intacs method. These:
The tunnels where the rings will be placed are not opened properly
Patients with large pupils see halos
Vascularization in the cornea
eye infection
blood in the eye
Rings slipping out of place
It is necessary to use drops for approximately 1 month after the operation. However, eye checks are performed the day after the surgery, at the 1st month and at the 3rd month. Then glasses may be recommended by the doctor. After the surgery, the eye may experience slight redness and stinging, but this is normal, so the patient does not need to worry. The patient can continue his normal life the day after surgery. His vision will become clearer day by day.