INTACS® FOR KERATOCONUS
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Intacs® Corneal Implants For Treating Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease, which causes a thinning of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. As the disease progresses, the quality of one's vision deteriorates and contact lenses or glasses no longer become a satisfactory solution for most people. For many, an invasive corneal transplant was the only option – until now! Intacs prescription inserts are an exciting new option between contacts and transplant that may be the best possible option to stabilize the cornea and improve vision.
Intacs prescription inserts are approved by the FDA for keratoconus under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE).
For more information on Intacs® for keratoconus, please visit www.intacsforkeratoconus.com or www.getintacs.com for more information.
Prior to any surgical procedure it is common to experience a degree of anticipation and anxiety. It may be comforting to know that the Intacs procedure is far less invasive than a corneal transplant or many other surgical procedures of the eye and the Intacs success rate is high. The surgeons performing the procedure are typically corneal surgeons, having expertise with keratoconus. Each surgeon has also undergone a rigorous training program specific to Intacs for treating patients with keratoconus.
Before the Procedure
Typically, your ophthalmologist, possibly working in tandem with an optometrist will have you undergo a thorough eye examination.
Your examination will include a variety of standard ophthalmic tests for this type of procedure, as well as general medical tests and a review of your specific medical history.
The Procedure for Intacs
Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye, which is held open throughout the procedure to prevent blinking.
Step 1: A single, small incision is made in the surface of the cornea.
Step 2: The eye is prepared for Intacs placement.
To stabilize your eye and ensure proper alignment of the Intacs inserts, the centering guide is placed on the surface of your eye. During this time, inner layers of the cornea are gently separated in a narrow circular area to allow for Intacs placement.
Step 3: The Intacs inserts are gently placed.
After the second Intacs insert is placed, the small opening in the cornea is closed.
Step 4: The procedure is completed.
The placement of Intacs inserts remodel and reinforce your cornea, eliminating some or all of the irregularities caused by keratoconus in order to provide you with improved vision.
Follow-up visits will be required to monitor the healing process and evaluate the visual benefits of the procedure. Even after a successful procedure, glasses or contacts still may be required to provide you with good vision.
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OTHER PROCEDURES
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Verisyse
Verisyse is proven to correct moderate to severe nearsightedness. The procedure involves placing the Verisyse Intraocular Lens (IOL) inside your eye to provide high-quality, high-definition vision without the need for glasses or contacts in most situations. Although Verisyse is intented to be permanent, the micro lens can be removed if desired. For very nearsighted people, procedure like Custom LASIK may not be an option, leaving you stuck with thick glasses or contact lenses - until now. The Verisyse Phakic IOL provides "precision vision", a high-tech, yet simple procedure that can improve your vision and life.
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Visian
The VISIAN ICL is a refractive phakic implant intended for placement in the posterior chamber of the eye. The approved models are indicated for the correction of myopia in adults with myopia ranging from -3.0 to less than or equal to -15.0 diopters with astigmatism less than or equal to 2.5 diopters at the spectacle plane, and the reduction of myopia in adults with myopia ranging from greater than -15.0 to -20.0 diopters with astigmatism less than or equal to 2.5 diopters at the spectacle plane, in patients 21 to 45 years of age with anterior chamber depth (ACD) 3.00 mm or greater, and a stable refractive history within 0.5 diopters for one year prior to implantation. Made of STAAR's proprietary, highly biocompatible Collamer(R) material, the ICL (an abbreviation for Implantable Collamer Lens) is the only minimally invasive foldable lens of its kind approved for the U.S. commercial market. As a result of the unique foldable design, the ICL procedure allows an incision up to 50% smaller than competing technology, and its placement in the eye behind the iris provides a more aesthetically pleasing outcome. In addition to the U.S., the ICL is also approved for sale in 41 countries, including the European Union and has successfully been implanted in more than 40,000 eyes worldwide.
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ReZoom(TM) intraocular lens:Independence from Glasses
ReZoom(TM) intraocular lens is a second-generation refractive multifocal IOL that provides hyperopic cataract patients with greater independence from glasses than monofocal IOLs. The ReZoom(TM) proprietary multifocal design provides a range of vision that monfocals cannot match. The ReZoom(TM) Balanced View Optics(TM) technology distributes light over five optic zones so that each lens has a distance-dominant central zone for distance vision in bright light conditions when the pupil is constricted. The ReZoom(TM) IOL is indicated for the visual correction of aphakia in persons 60 years of age or older in whom a cataractous lens has been removed and who may benefit from useful near vision without reading add and increased spectacle independence across a range of distances. It is intended to be placed in the capsular bag.
You too can do the things you enjoy most without the burden of reading glasses or multifocal lenses. To find out more information about this revolutionary new way to leave your glasses behind, schedule your complimentary consultation today!
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Corneal Transplants
In the U.S., corneal tissue is readily available for transplant surgery (unlike outside the U.S.). The procedure requires the removal of your corneal tissue, where the disease is most prevalent, and is surgically replaced with donor corneal tissue which is then sutured into place.
The procedure takes between one to two hours and will require multiple follow-up visits to assess the healing process to apply anti-rejection medications, complete the removal of the sutures and to perform a refractive examination and fitting for glasses or contact lenses. The overall recovery time differs by individual, however, the medical community indicates the recovery time can take more than a year.
Glaucoma
The eye contains a watery fluid that continually bathes its inner structures. In healthy eyes, this fluid continuously drains out to make room for more. Glaucoma occurs when the watery fluid does not drain properly and an abnormal amount of pressure builds up in the eye. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, and it often goes unnoticed until severe damage has been done. You should have regular check ups to test for glaucoma. Immediate treatment for glaucoma includes eye drops, oral medication, or in some cases, an I.V.
CK: Conductive Keratoplasty
What if you could reduce your dependence on reading glasses - those unwelcome reminders that age is catching up with you? What if you could enjoy your morning paper without squinting? Read a menu without difficulty? Even work on the computer without headaches? What if there was a procedure for your farsightedness that did not involve cutting or a laser? We'd like to introduce you to CK-- a new vision procedure that can help decrease your dependence on glasses to see things close up.
CK is an exciting option for patients over 40 with farsightedness who want to have clear vision without the use of reading glasses. Designed to treat farsightedness without using a laser, CK uses the controlled release of radio frequency energy, instead of a laser or scalpel, to reshape the cornea and steepen corneal tissue. There is no cutting or tissue removal as in other refractive procedures. Radio frequency is one of today's most advanced surgical technologies. In the past it has been used in other procedures such as prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, and cardiovascular procedures, and now it is being used successfully to correct vision.
CK has been found to successfully restore the ability to see close-up or read small print in people over 40. Even for those with perfect vision, the eye's ability to see closer objects, and also the ability to shift between distant and close objects, begins to decrease at about age 40 and typically grows progressively worse with age. Currently, over 70 million Americans over the age of 40 are farsighted or have difficulty reading small print at close distances.
Because CK does not involve cutting or lasers, the procedure can be conveniently performed in an office setting or refractive surgery suite using only eye drop anesthesia. The procedure takes minutes to perform, and the result is improvement in your vision and in most cases you can return to your normal schedule the next day. CK is minimally invasive, quick, convenient and comfortable.
The Surgery.
The CK procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and it requires no lengthy stay. A topical anesthetic eye drop is applied to the eye, and then the doctor marks the intended treatment spots in a ring pattern on the cornea. Then a circular treatment pattern, in rinse-away ink, is imprinted on the cornea to guide the physician. Using the tiny probe thinner than a strand of human hair, Dr. Manrique applies radio waves in a circular pattern to shrink small areas of corneal tissue. The circular shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band of tissue which, much like the tightening of a belt, makes the curve of the cornea steeper and increases its focusing power. This energy causes a slight shrinkage of tissue inside the cornea, which in turn alters the curvature of the corneal surface.
During the procedure, slight pressure may be felt, however, it is not painful. It takes less than one second to treat each spot on the cornea, and the entire procedure takes about ten minutes. This procedure intentionally treats just one eye, creating the same sort of correction that people get with contact lenses. But when the CK procedure is completed, the majority of patients find that the need for contact lenses or reading glasses is virtually eliminated.
Can CK help you?
CK has been approved to treat farsightedness between +.75 and +3.00 Diopters. Serious complications with CK are extremely rare. CK is a safe and effective procedure, but like any medical procedure, it does have some risks. After a thorough eye exam you and your doctor will determine if CK is an option for you. If you are a good candidate, you will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
CK is for those who:
- want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses, reading glasses or contacts
- have difficulty with close vision
- are at least 40 years of age
- have not had a significant change in their vision for one year
- have no health issues affecting their eyes
- have not had previous vision correction surgery
- are not pregnant or nursing
- have presbyopia between +0.75 to +2.25 diopters
- have no chronic eye disorders
- have no physical conditions such as diabetes, vascular or autoimmune diseases
For Baby Boomers, CK offers a way to turn back the clock and regain the vision enjoyed in their 30's--vision without reading difficulties, eye fatigue and other troublesome symptoms of farsightedness. CK is best suited for those who are over 40 years of age and who had good vision until they reached their forties. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Manrique today to see if you can benefit from CK surgery.
