Intacs
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Intacs: An Innovative Solution for Keratoconus and Irregular Astigmatism
Intacs are small, semicircular ring implants placed inside the cornea. It is especially used in the treatment of diseases that cause distortions on the corneal surface, such as keratoconus and irregular astigmatism. Intacs rings shape the corneal surface, flatten the cone-shaped cornea and improve the quality of vision. This treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to provide patients with better vision without the use of glasses or contact lenses.
What is Intacs and How Does It Work?
Intacs ring implants are small plastic implants placed inside the cornea. These rings gently compress the corneal tissue, providing the cornea with a flatter surface and reducing the sharpening caused by keratoconus. In this way, it helps the light focus more properly on the retina and improves the patient’s quality of vision. Intacs rings can be permanently placed within the eye or removed as needed, offering a flexible treatment option.
Features and Advantages of Intacs Rings
Intacs rings are useful in cases of keratoconus and some irregular astigmatism. Here are the main advantages of Intacs treatment:
1. Corrects Corneal Shape: Intacs rings flatten the cone shape created by keratoconus by restructuring the shape of the cornea. In this way, visual impairments are reduced and a clearer vision is provided.
2. Reduces Glasses and Contact Lens Dependency: Thanks to Intacs implants, many patients can reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The treatment is also a good alternative for keratoconus patients who have difficulty using contact lenses.
3. It is a reversible process: Intacs implants can be removed or replaced if needed. This feature provides flexibility if the patient’s condition progresses or other treatment is needed.
4. Slows Keratoconus Progression: Intacs slows down and in some cases stops the progression of keratoconus by supporting the cornea. This may reduce the need for further treatment options, such as corneal transplantation.
Who is Intacs Treatment Suitable for?
Intacs treatment is particularly suitable for patients who are in the early or middle stages of keratoconus and who are not adequately corrected by glasses or contact lenses. Intacs can be applied successfully to people whose eye structure is suitable and whose cornea is not too thin. It also offers an effective solution in some cases of astigmatism, which creates irregularities on the corneal surface, other than keratoconus.
How is Intacs Treatment Done?
Intacs treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia, with a short procedure lasting 15-20 minutes. The treatment process includes these steps:
1. Preparation and Anesthesia: Thanks to local anesthesia with eye drops, the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. The area in the eye is made sterile.
2. Corneal Tunnel Opening: A small tunnel is opened on the corneal surface where the rings will be placed. This tunnel is created with a special laser or microcutting tool.
3. Placement of Rings: Intacs rings are placed in the opened corneal tunnel. The rings help flatten the cornea by gently compressing it.
4. Healing and Final Checks: After the procedure, the cornea recovers quickly. Patients experience a short recovery period after the procedure and the change in the eye becomes noticeable within a few weeks.
Benefits of Intacs Treatment
Intacs rings offer several benefits in treating keratoconus and irregular astigmatism:
• Improves Vision Quality: By correcting the shape of the cornea, light is focused more smoothly on the retina, thus reducing blurred or distorted vision.
• Slows the Progression of Keratoconus: Intacs implants can prevent or slow the progression of keratoconus to more advanced levels by supporting the cornea.
• Reduces the Need for Glasses and Contact Lenses: Treatment allows patients to wear glasses or contact lenses less frequently, and in some cases, eliminates the need for lenses altogether.
• It is minimally invasive and reversible: Although Intacs is a surgical procedure, it is a minimally invasive method. Rings can be removed or replaced when necessary, making treatment safer.
Healing Process After Intacs
The healing process following Intacs treatment is rapid, but it is important to protect the eyes during this process:
1. Usage of Eye Drops: Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops are prescribed to prevent infection and speed healing.
2. Sensitivity to Light: There may be sensitivity to light in the eyes in the first days. Using sunglasses and resting the eyes can reduce sensitivity.
3. Blurred Vision: Slight blurriness may occur in the first weeks, but this will resolve over time and vision quality will improve.
4. Eye Protection: Avoiding rubbing the eyes and following the doctor’s instructions supports the healing process.
Are There Any Side Effects of Intacs Treatment?
Although Intacs treatment is a safe procedure, some side effects may occur:
• Photosensitivity: Sensitivity to light may increase in the first days, but this is temporary.
• Mild Eye Discomfort: There may be a slight stinging or discomfort in the eye after the procedure.
• Temporary Visual Impairments: Blurred vision or light scattering may be experienced in the initial period, but most patients achieve clear vision within a few weeks.
Success Rate of Intacs Treatment
Intacs treatment has a high success rate in slowing the progression of keratoconus and irregular astigmatism and improving vision quality. However, treatment does not completely eliminate the disease. Intacs may reduce or delay the need for further treatment options such as corneal transplantation, but may not be enough on its own in advanced cases of keratoconus.
Support Your Eye Health with Intacs Treatment
Intacs treatment is an effective solution that reduces vision problems caused by deformities on the corneal surface such as keratoconus and irregular astigmatism. With this treatment, the shape of the cornea is corrected, dependence on glasses or contact lenses is reduced, and the progression of keratoconus can be stopped. A minimally invasive and reversible procedure, Intacs treatment offers patients a comfortable solution and reduces the need for more invasive treatments such as corneal transplantation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually performed in a single session and the rings are permanently placed on the cornea. Rings can be removed or readjusted if necessary.
Since it is performed with local anesthesia, no pain is felt during the procedure. There may be slight discomfort after the procedure, but this is temporary.
Most patients notice improvement in the quality of vision within a few weeks of Intacs treatment. However, full recovery may take several months.
Intacs rings are permanently implanted into the cornea, but can be removed or replaced as needed.
