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 Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London.
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care.
Dr Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
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Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
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Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
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Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
LEARN MORE
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
LEARN MORE
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
LEARN MORE
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care
LEARN MORE
Dr. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
LEARN MORE
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London.
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Learn more about treating these corneal conditions from authoritative sources.
The result of the presented biomechanical analysis of different ring-shaped corneal implant designs can explain the different postoperative clinical results of different implant types in myopia and keratoconus. Click here to read more.
Corneal ring implantation is a surgical procedure for inserting a ring of plastic into the middle layer of your cornea. This can correct certain problems with your cornea and enable you to see clearly.
The cornea is your eye’s outermost layer. It is a clear, layer that caps the front of your eye. It helps protect the rest of your eye from germs and debris. It also helps focus light into your eye. Different conditions can damage your cornea’s shape. If your cornea isn’t the right shape, light rays don’t focus exactly where they should. If this happens, you may have poor vision even when using glasses. Click here to read more.
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