years as an alternative of cornea transplantation that is the only treatment in the advanced stages of keratoconus. With this treatment, amount of vision will increase in keratoconus patients without glasses or lenses.
Although there are three types of corneal rings (Intacs, Ferrara ring, Keraring), the most frequently used rings in the clinics are INTACS intraocular rings. The main purpose in this method is to shape the transparent layer to its normal anatomic position. That is, purpose is not completely eliminating the refractive error like in LASIK, rather, reducing the error is aimed at.
These rings are not seen when looked from outside, and most importantly, unlike contact lenses, they are not felt. These rings can be easily removed when required, and they do not leave permanent scars that will affect vision. This operation will not constitute an obstruction to any other operations.
These rings come in different types with different thicknesses, and are implanted according to the stage of the keratoconus disease. The tunnel for INTACS can be opened with two methods.
Mechanic method: A special cylindrical tool with to parallel blades will be placed onto the cornea, and canals are opened by triggering the mechanism.
Intralase method: Creation of the tunnels is controlled better since they are formed with laser pulses under the control of a computer, and canals with the required depth and diameter are formed in a shorter time. This is a factor that increases the success ratio. Risk of complications is less.
Twenty percent of the keratoconus patients end with cornea transplantation. Cornea transplantation is the inevitable end point in this patient group if they apply in late stages. When INTACS application is compared to keratoplasty, it is a rather safe method with low risks. INTACS eliminates the need for cornea transplantation, or at least, delays this need.
