Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. For individuals with moderate to low amounts of myopia (generally under 3.50 diopters), the implantation of ring segments can offer some significant advantages as follows:

1) No flap utilized . For those who are concerned about issues of a flap, the central cornea is left untouched.

2) Removability. Although the incidence of complications is quite low, if by chance a problem should arise, individuals have a reassuring feeling that the ring segments can be romved, and the eye generally is expected to return to its prior status. Serious problems with LASIK are also uncommon, but if one should happen, the procedure is not reversible.

3) Glare minimized. Glare is a common consequence after LASIK, particularly in the early healing phases. Although glare usually diminishes in time after LASIK, patients may still have some residual glare for quite some time. With the intra-corneal ring segments, the central cornea is not touched, and glare issues are therefore minimized.

4) Prolate corneal shape preserved. Medical literature has shown that LASIK reshaping of the cornea changes the corneal curvature from the normal prolate shape (central cornea steeper than the peripheral cornea), to an oblate shape (central cornea flatter than the peripheral cornea). This changed configurations if felt to lead to certain mild aberrations as well as glare. Again, because intra-corneal ring segments are inserted in the corneal periphery, the central cornea is not affected, and the normal prolate shape is preserved.

5) Prescription changes accomodated. Although one does not expect significant changes in prescription occurring naturally over time in this age group, if by chance there is a change, the ring segments can be removed and replaced with a different sized insert.

6) Suitable for many individuals who are not Lasik candidates. There is a significant enough number of individuals who are ineligible for LASIK based on certain corneal irregularities such as conditions where the cornea is relatively thin, particularly in a condition known as Keratoconus.

7) Suitable for individuals with inadequate results after previous LASIK or RK. Many individuals who have previously had procedures such as Lasik, RK or HK and have had results not quite up to expectations may be candidates for further treatment using the technology of these intra-corneal ring segments.

Procedure:

Intacs (intra-corneal ring segments) are a non-laser technology whereby a pair of microscopic rings are inserted into the cornea, allowing a change in shape (flattening) of the cornea - and thus reducing myopia.

The procedure is performed in our office setting under local (eye drops) anesthesia and mild oral sedation. Microscopic tunnels are fashioned within the corneal tissue, by spreading the middle layers of the cornea, much as a space can be easily fashioned by spreading pages of a phone book without damage ot the pages of the phone book. The ring segments are meticulously manouvered into the tunnels. No corneal tissue is removed (which differs from Lasik where tissue is removed).

With completion of the procedure, the individual is able to return home on the same day, and is generally seeing well enough to return to work or normal activities by the following day. Vision is generally expected to be improved by the same day, though fluctuation in vision (relatively minor and not disabling) is expected to occur over a three to four month period of time.