Keratoconus is an eye disease that results in misshaped and thinning corneal tissue. Keratoconus affects approximately one out of 2,000 people in the U.S. and typically begins in adolescent years, slowly worsening before stabilizing in patients in their 30s or 40s. During the course of keratoconus, pressure within the eye may cause the cornea to morph into a cone shape and negatively impact vision. Low to severe vision loss can occur, and serious cases of keratoconus can result in the need for a corneal transplant.

Keratoconus patients cannot usually benefit from refractive procedures such as laser eye surgery or PRK because patients' corneas tend to be too thin and weak. Although Keratoconus is typically treated with special rigid contact lenses, there can be uncomfortable side effects. Intacs corneal rings are the latest keratoconus treatment, offering patients improvement in vision and possibly preventing corneal transplant. Originally designed to correct mild nearsightedness, Intacs can provide keratoconus patients with the ability to achieve improved functional vision with contact lenses or glasses and in some cases without them. Composed of two tiny half rings made of a special plastic, Intacs are inserted into the cornea and are almost invisible and undetectable.

If you would like to learn more about Intacs or other forms treatment for keratoconus, please contact Northwestern LASIK Physicians at 312-695-2549.