Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition affecting the cornea. This illness makes the cornea become thin and protrude outward in a “cone-like” form, causing vision issues like distorted or blurred vision, light sensitivity, and problems with nighttime vision. Although contact lenses or glasses may correct these visual problems caused by Keratoconus Philadelphia, they do not treat the underlying structural issues within the cornea. However, there is a minimally invasive surgical solution known as Intacs. Intacs are tiny, clear, and crescent-shaped inserts that specialists place under the cornea’s surface to reshape it and enhance vision. Here are the many benefits of Intacs in Keratoconus treatment.
1. Enhanced Vision
The primary advantage of the Intacs procedure is enhanced vision. By placing the small, crescent-shaped rings made of biodegradable material inside the cornea, the treatment reshapes your cornea. This treatment can help address astigmatism and nearsightedness, resulting in more crisp vision.
2. The Procedure Is Minimally Invasive
The Intacs procedure is minimally invasive. The eye surgeon creates a tiny cut into the cornea to place the rings and does not remove any tissue. As such, patients will experience less trauma to their eyes and enjoy a faster recovery time. Often, patients can resume their routine a few days after their procedure.
3. Customizable Therapy
Every keratoconus patient is different. Thankfully, the Intacs procedure is customizable to meet the unique needs of every patient. Your provider may adjust the thickness and size of the rings to attain the desired degree of corneal shaping. Therefore, with this procedure, you can expect more effective outcomes.
4. Treatment Is Reversible
The Intacs procedure is reversible. If the patient’s vision changes or the rings must be removed for some reason, your doctor can reverse the process. The ease or reversibility is because your doctor does not remove any corneal tissue during the procedure, which means they can readily place or remove the rings as necessary. Thus, patients enjoy the added peace of mind that they can reverse their treatment if they do not get desirable results.
5. Reduced Reliance On Contact Lenses or Glasses
Wearing contacts or glasses could be a daily inconvenience for numerous keratoconus patients. The Intacts treatment can hugely reduce the patient’s reliance on corrective lenses, or, sometimes, eliminate the need for them completely.
With an improved corneal shape and clearer vision, patients may lead a more active lifestyle, and engage in sports or other activities without the limitations of glasses or contacts. Besides, some patients enjoy improved self-confidence from their new look.
6. Reduced Risk Of Complications
Intacs treatment has a reduced likelihood of complications, unlike other surgical solutions for keratoconus, like a corneal transplant. The treatment is minimally intrusive, reducing the risk of inflammation, scarring, and infection. Nonetheless, you may experience temporary side effects like dry eyes, which you can easily manage with eye drops.
7. Lasting Stability
Intacs offer long-term stability to the cornea, implying that this treatment’s benefits are likely to persist for several years. Most specialists believe Intacs can support your cornea for up to a decade, rendering them a great alternative for anybody seeking a lasting treatment for their keratoconus.
Although not as common as other eye conditions like glaucoma, keratoconus still affects many persons in the United States. If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent vision loss. If you are tired of using glasses or contacts, you can talk to your eye doctor to determine if you are the right candidate for Intacs. Typically, you may be a good candidate for Intacs if you show warning signs of keratoconus. However, you may not be eligible for the procedure if your vision changes often, you do not have realistic expectations, you are not in great overall health, and more.