A reliable solution if you struggle with hard contact lenses or troublesome visual symptoms due to keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) develops an irregular conical shape, causing your vision to blur. In cases of mild keratoconus, you can correct the vision with glasses. In more severe keratoconus, glasses may not provide adequate vision. In this case, we would prescribe soft or hard contact lenses. Suppose you struggle to wear contact lenses for keratoconus – perhaps due to discomfort, dry eyes, allergies, or difficulties with lens handling and maintenance. In that case, corneal implants could help you.
Intacs and Kerarings are tiny, transparent, semi-circular, plastic implants. They are placed within your cornea to make its shape more normal. These implants can make wearing hard contact lenses more comfortable. They can also sometimes improve your vision to the point where you can use soft contacts or glasses instead.
Corneal implants (in eye)
Corneal implants (on finger)
Advantages
- Intacs/Kerarings can significantly improve vision with and without glasses for people with keratoconus.
- Implanting Intacs/Kerarings is a simple surgical procedure that is very safe, simple and reversible.
Disadvantages
- Intacs/Kerarings is not always suitable for people with very advanced keratoconus.
In the past, keratoconus patients unable to achieve good vision with glasses or contact lenses may have required complex corneal transplant surgery. Corneal implants are a new innovative treatment that may avoid transplant surgery and associated lifelong risks. For this reason, we would advise you to consider corneal implants as an alternative treatment before proceeding with transplant surgery.
Procedure time
The procedure takes just 30 minutes.
What’s involved in corneal implant surgery?
Before your corneal implant surgery, we will give you painless local anaesthetic eye drops (injections aren’t necessary). You’ll also have the option of a mild sedative.
Using the state-Zeiss Visumax femtosecond laser (the same laser used in LASIK and SMILE laser eye surgery), your surgeon will make a tiny and exact circular channel within your cornea.
The surgeon will then carefully insert your corneal implants into the channel. The incision will close naturally, without the need for stitches.
After the operation, we will treat your eye with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops. We may also place a clear plastic shield over your eye for you to wear overnight. You’ll be able to go home almost straight away, although you will need someone to drive you, and you’ll need to return for a check-up the following day.
You should notice an immediate improvement in your vision after corneal implant surgery. We recommend letting your vision settle for three months before being fitted for new glasses or contact lenses.
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Our industry-leading experts are here to guide you every step of the way
Dr Nick Mantell
MB ChB
Dr Peter Ring
MB ChB
Dr Adam Watson
MB ChB
Dr Shanu Subbiah
MBCHB FRCOphth
Dr Liz Insull
FRANZCO
Prof Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer
DNZM FRSNZ FRANZCO MD PhD
Dr Narme Deva
MBChB MD FRANZCO
Dr William Cunningham
MBChB FRANZCO
Dr Jay Meyer
BS MPH MD
Prof Charles McGhee
MB ChB ONZM PHD FRANZCO FRCOphth
Dr Graham Reeves
MBChB FRCOphth FRANZCO
Dr Kaliopy Matheos
BSc MSc MBChB FRANZCO
Dr Peter Hadden
FRANZCO
Dr Stef Guglielmetti
MBChB, FCOphth(SA), FRCSC, FWCRS, FRANZCO
Dr Sophie Hill
MBBS FRCOphth
Dr Baswati Sahoo
FRCS MS DNB FRANZCO
Dr Shira Sheen
MD PgDip Ophth
Dr Kevin Dunne
FRANZCO
Dr Ammar Binsadiq
FRANZCO
Dr Edward Hutchins
FRANZCO
Dr Brian Kent-Smith
MB BCh, FCS(Ophth)(SA), FRANZCO
Dr Vipin Kuriachan
Medical Retina, Cataract and General Ophthalmology
Dr Rona Silkiss
Oculoplastic Surgeon
Dr Andrew Thompson
Cataract, Glaucoma and Medical Retina Specialist
Dr Graeme Loh
Retinal and Cataract Surgeon
Dr Verona Botha
Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon
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