Keratoconus, a relatively rare degenerative disease affecting the cornea, affects approximately 54.5 per 100,000 people. Corneal Ring Implants provide a groundbreaking solution for this progressive condition that typically starts during teenage years or twenties. The cornea loses its round shape and bulges into a cone-like formation, which prevents light rays from focusing correctly and gradually reduces visual acuity.
These tiny, crescent-shaped implants made of polymethyl methacrylate alter corneal curvature physically. They flatten the cone and reduce astigmatism and nearsightedness associated with keratoconus without removing tissue. The procedure is reversible and adjustable, which makes it an attractive option for patients who need treatment beyond glasses or contact lenses. Precision Vision London’s expert surgeons use advanced technology to perform this minimally invasive procedure and ensure personalised care throughout the corneal ring implants recovery.
This piece will help you find everything about Intacs and Kerarings from candidacy requirements and procedural details to benefits, risks, and what makes our approach exceptional.
What Are Corneal Ring Implants and Who Needs Them?
Corneal ring implants are small, crescent-shaped devices made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) that surgeons place in the peripheral cornea. These innovative implants, including Intacs and Kerarings, help reshape the cornea without removing tissue. They give hope to patients who don’t deal very well with progressive corneal conditions.
Understanding Keratoconus and How It Affects Vision
The cornea is normally a round, clear dome that covers the front of your eye. With keratoconus, this dome gets thinner and bulges outward into a cone shape. People usually notice the first signs between their late teens and 30s. The condition can take 10 years or longer to develop. The changing corneal shape makes it hard to focus light properly, which leads to worse vision over time.
Vision problems can be a big deal. You might first notice blurry or distorted vision. Bright lights and glare become harder to handle, especially when driving at night. Your eyeglass prescription might need frequent updates. On top of that, advanced cases can lead to corneal scarring that makes vision even worse. Clinical observations show that keratoconus affects approximately 1 in 200 people worldwide. This makes it one of the more common corneal disorders. Without the right treatment, this condition can make everyday activities much harder.
The Point When Glasses and Lenses Stop Working
Standard eyeglasses or soft contact lenses might work well enough in the early stages of keratoconus. All the same, these traditional correction methods become less effective as the condition progresses. The cone-shaped cornea creates irregular astigmatism that’s harder to fix.
Patients often reach a stage where:
- Glasses prescriptions keep changing but never feel right
- Regular contact lenses no longer help them see clearly
- Wearing contact lenses becomes uncomfortable or impossible
- They see significant distortions like halos, starbursts, or ghosting
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses often become the next step since they create a smooth optical surface that masks corneal irregularities. Some patients’ eyes can’t tolerate these lenses – a clear sign to look at other treatment options. Corneal transplants used to be the only choice for advanced cases before corneal ring implants came along. Now, intracorneal ring segments are a great way to get help for the right patients.
Who Can Get Intacs or Kerarings?
The best candidates for corneal ring implants need to meet specific requirements. You should be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed keratoconus diagnosis. Your condition should stay in the mild to moderate range—with the steepest corneal curvature (K reading) not going above 58 diopters.
Other key factors include:
- Eyes that can’t tolerate contact lenses
- Corrected distance visual acuity below 0.6 on the decimal scale
- Corneal thickness of at least 400-450 microns where the implant goes
- No scarring in the central cornea
- Refractive and keratometric axes that line up
- A clear central optical zone
- Stable vision that isn’t getting worse quickly
Pregnant women should not get these implants. The implants might also help patients with pellucid marginal degeneration, another condition that thins the cornea. At Precision Vision London, we use advanced corneal mapping technology to get a full picture before surgery. This helps us create treatment plans that match each patient’s unique corneal structure and vision needs. Corneal transplants can take up to two years to heal fully and for vision to stabilise. Corneal ring implants offer faster recovery with less invasive surgery. While they don’t work for everyone with keratoconus, these implants give patients an important option before they need to think about more invasive procedures.
How Intacs and Kerarings Work to Reshape the Cornea
Corneal ring implants work through a completely different mechanical principle than laser vision correction procedures. These clever devices act as spacer elements between the collagen fibres in the corneal tissue and reshape your cornea without removing any tissue.
Flattening the Cone Mechanically Without Tissue Removal
The basic principle of corneal ring implants follows Barraquer’s ‘thickness law’—adding tissue to the periphery flattens the cornea. These implants create an arc-shortening effect that flattens your corneal tissue’s central area when placed in the mid-peripheral corneal stroma. Your cornea’s flattening directly relates to the implanted segment’s thickness and works inversely to its placement diameter. Thicker rings and smaller placement diameters create better flattening results. Picture your cornea as a tent—pushing the sides out naturally flattens the top. Research shows this mechanical approach can reshape substantially, with mean keratometric improvements from 2.14 to 9.60 diopters. The flattening reduces both sphere and cylinder measurements and addresses keratoconus’s irregular astigmatism.
Differences in Implant Shape and Placement Zones
Intacs and Kerarings share basic principles but differ in several ways:
Intacs consist of two semicircular PMMA segments with:
- An arc length of 150°
- Hexagonal transverse shape
- External diameter of 8.10mm and internal diameter of 6.77mm
- Thickness options from 0.25mm to 0.45mm in 0.05mm increments
Advanced cases benefit from Intacs SK (Severe Keratoconus) design with a smaller inner diameter of 6.00mm and an oval cross-section.
Kerarings features include:
- Arc segments ranging from 90° to 210°
- Triangular cross-section with a 600-micron base
- Smaller apical diameter of 5mm
- Thickness options from 0.15mm to 0.35mm
The placement zone marks a key difference. Kerarings sit closer to the cornea’s centre and enable greater flattening effects but sometimes produce more glare. Intacs position further from the centre and typically cause fewer visual side effects.
How They Improve Vision Without LASIK
Corneal ring implants redistribute your cornea’s biomechanical forces instead of removing tissue like LASIK. This approach offers several unique benefits: The procedure maintains corneal tissue integrity a vital factor for keratoconus patients with corneal thinning. Research shows approximately 70-80% of patients see improved best-corrected and uncorrected vision after implantation.
These implants substantially reduce higher-order aberrations that cause visual distortions in keratoconus. Many patients gain 2-3 lines of best-corrected visual acuity beyond their previous glasses prescription due to improved corneal regularity. The implants’ reversible nature provides an adjustable solution that doctors can remove or exchange as your condition changes something laser ablation procedures can’t offer. Precision Vision London uses advanced corneal mapping technology to determine your corneal implants’ optimal placement and thickness, maximising visual outcomes through personalised treatment.
The Procedure: What to Expect Before, During, and After
Your trip to clearer vision with corneal ring implants happens in three distinct phases. Each phase plays a vital part in getting the best results. You should know what happens at every stage to prepare yourself mentally and physically.
Preoperative Assessment and Corneal Thickness Criteria
You’ll need a detailed evaluation to determine if this procedure suits you. Your doctor will test your visual acuity, map your cornea, and measure its thickness. Precision Vision London uses advanced Scheimpflug imaging to get precise measurements of your corneal elevation and thickness. The minimum corneal thickness requirement should be between 350-450 microns where the implants will go.
This measurement will give a safe amount of tissue above the implants after surgery. Standard Intacs work best with corneas at least 450μm thick, while newer Intacs SK might work with thinner ones. You should stop wearing contact lenses before measurements. Soft lens users need a week’s break, while rigid gas-permeable lens users need two weeks. Our specialists will check your corneal health, vision capabilities and talk about what you can expect.
Surgical Steps: Anaesthesia, Tunnel Creation, Implantation
Eye drops numb the surface during the procedure. Some patients get extra medication to relax, though general anaesthesia isn’t common.
We use two main techniques to create tunnels:
- Femtosecond Laser Method: At Precision Vision London, we prefer using advanced femtosecond laser technology. It creates precise channels about 70-80% through corneal depth. This gives us uniform tunnel depth and more predictable results.
- Mechanical Method: This technique starts with a small incision. Special tools then form semicircular tunnels by hand.
We carefully place ring segments into these tunnels using special forceps. Your specific corneal map and vision needs determine where we place them, how thick they are, and their arc length.
Corneal Ring Implants Recovery Time and Aftercare
Right after surgery, we apply antibiotic ointment and patch your eye. Someone else must drive you home because you’ll feel some discomfort and have blurry vision.
Your medication schedule will look like this:
- Anti-inflammatory drops (e.g., dexamethasone): Every 2 hours at first
- Antibiotic drops: 4 times daily for two weeks
- Lubricating eye drops: Use as needed for comfort
You should wear an eye shield while sleeping for at least 14 nights to protect the surgical site. Most people go back to desk jobs within 2 weeks. Physical jobs require 3-4 weeks off. Your vision improves slowly over time. Some people see changes right away, while others notice their vision fluctuate before settling. Full visual recovery might take several months as your cornea heals and adapts to its new shape. Precision Vision London schedules follow-up visits on day 1, week 1, month 1, month 3, and month 6 after surgery. These visits let us track your healing, address any concerns quickly, and make sure you get the best possible vision.
Benefits and Risks: What Patients Should Know
Patients thinking about corneal ring implants must weigh both advantages and potential risks before surgery. You need to learn about these aspects to set realistic expectations during your treatment experience.
Improved Visual Acuity and Contact Lens Tolerance
Clinical studies show that corneal ring implants substantially improve vision in most cases. Approximately 70-80% of patients see better uncorrected and corrected visual acuity after implantation. Many patients gain 2-3 lines on standard eye charts, and almost 90% can drive without corrective lenses. The best part about corneal ring implants is their ability to restore contact lens tolerance. All but one of these patients who couldn’t wear lenses before can comfortably use them after surgery. This renewed tolerance guides them toward even better visual outcomes, as contacts can fix any remaining refractive error.
Reversible and Minimally Invasive Nature of the Procedure
Corneal ring implants stand out because they’re reversible—unlike most eye surgeries. The implants can be removed completely if results aren’t satisfactory. Studies show that 95% of patients return to within ±1.00D of their original refraction just 3 months after removal. This reversibility makes these implants valuable as a bridge treatment. They might delay or even eliminate the need for corneal transplantation. The procedure also keeps the central optical zone intact, which leaves options open for future treatments.
Possible Side Effects: Glare, Infection, or Ring Movement
Like any surgery, corneal ring implants come with certain risks. Common side effects include:
- Visual disturbances such as glare or halos around lights (3-5% of cases)
- Fluctuating vision during the adaptation period
- Segment migration or extrusion (0-20% across different studies)
- Infection (rare, occurring in 0-5% of cases)
Some less frequent complications include keratitis, corneal thinning, or persistent eye pain. Sometimes, doctors might need to make minor adjustments or perform replacement surgeries to achieve the best results.
Why Choose Precision Vision London for Corneal Implants
Picking the right clinic for corneal ring implants will shape your vision correction trip. Precision Vision London uses advanced corneal mapping technology as the foundations of treatment decisions that will give a perfect outcome for your unique eye condition.
Personalised Treatment Plans Based on Corneal Mapping
Dr. Pillai and the clinical team review your individual topography to create customised treatment plans for each eye. The gradient of flattening can be precisely tailored through variable thickness implants. This allows asymmetric correction that matches your corneal irregularities. These customised approaches deliver better visual and refractive outcomes than standard treatments.
State-of-the-Art Surgical Equipment and Imaging
Precision Vision London only uses the most advanced technology available in the UK. The clinic’s sophisticated Alcon Refractive Suite is the most advanced non-laser theatre in the country. These advanced diagnostic tools enable detailed corneal mapping and precise tunnel creation. This maximises the effectiveness when physically altering corneal curvature to flatten the cone.
Trusted UK-Based Surgeons with Proven Outcomes
World-renowned corneal specialist Dr. CT Pillai leads the surgical team with over 30 years of ophthalmic expertise. Dr. Pillai is leading corneal treatment and offers exceptional knowledge to handle complex keratoconus cases. His surgical excellence shows in proven visual outcomes, with studies showing most important improvements in uncorrected distance visual acuity.
Transparent Pricing and Corneal Ring Implants Cost Guidance
The clinic offers all-inclusive corneal ring implants cost packages without hidden fees. The detailed packages cover consultation fees, essential eye tests, topographic mapping, and a personalised 12-month aftercare programme. This clear approach helps you understand the exact financial commitment throughout your treatment trip.
Conclusion
Corneal ring implants are a life-changing solution for keratoconus patients who struggle with poor vision and contact lens intolerance. These innovative PMMA segments physically change corneal curvature without removing tissue. They effectively flatten the cone-shaped bulge that characterises keratoconus. The best part is their reversible nature. You can adjust them as your condition changes – something permanent surgical alternatives can’t match. Your choice between Intacs and Kerarings mainly depends on your corneal architecture and vision needs. Both options bring most important improvements in visual acuity. Studies show 70-80% of patients experience improved uncorrected and corrected vision after implantation.
Dr. CT Pillai and his team at Precision Vision London will give you a complete picture of your condition. They employ advanced corneal mapping technology to create a treatment plan that fits your unique corneal topography. The procedure takes just 15-20 minutes per eye under topical anaesthesia. Your cornea will gradually adjust to its new shape over several weeks. The procedure is generally safe, but you should think over potential side effects. These include temporary visual disturbances, segment migration, or in rare cases, infection. All the same, the minimal risks are nowhere near as significant as the visual benefits most patients experience.
Precision Vision London’s combination of advanced technology and seasoned surgical expertise sets them apart. The clinic’s Alcon Refractive Suite enables precise tunnel creation and implant placement. This improves effectiveness while reducing complications. Dr. Pillai’s three decades of ophthalmic experience means confident handling of even complex keratoconus cases.
These implants bridge the gap between conventional vision correction methods and more invasive corneal transplantation. Their minimally invasive nature and ability to preserve future treatment options are a great way to get improved vision and quality of life for thousands of keratoconus patients across the UK. Your vision deserves world-class care. Precision Vision London delivers this through personalised treatment plans, modern equipment, clear pricing, and proven outcomes that help you see the world clearly again.
Key Takeaways
Corneal ring implants offer a revolutionary, reversible treatment for keratoconus patients when glasses and contact lenses no longer provide adequate vision correction.
- Intacs and Kerarings mechanically flatten the cone-shaped cornea without removing tissue, improving vision in 70-80% of patients.
- The procedure is completely reversible, allowing removal or adjustment as your condition evolves over time.
- Candidates need stable keratoconus, corneal thickness of 400-450 microns, and contact lens intolerance for optimal results.
- Recovery takes 2-6 weeks with gradual vision improvement, requiring antibiotic drops and protective eye shields during sleep.
- Potential risks include glare, halos, segment migration (0-20% cases), and rare infection, but complications are generally manageable.
- Advanced corneal mapping technology enables personalised treatment plans tailored to your unique corneal architecture.
These implants serve as an excellent bridge treatment between conventional correction methods and corneal transplantation, offering hope to keratoconus patients seeking improved quality of life without permanent surgical alterations.
FAQs
Q1. What are the potential complications of corneal ring implants? While rare, potential complications may include persistent inflammation, fluctuating vision, photophobia, and in some cases, loss of visual acuity. Vascularisation of the surgical wound is also a possible but uncommon side effect.
Q2. How much corneal flattening can be achieved with these implants? Corneal ring implants can achieve significant flattening of the cornea, with studies showing a maximum flattening effect of up to 5.90 diopters. The exact amount varies depending on the patient’s specific condition and the type of implant used.
Q3. What is the typical recovery time after corneal ring implant surgery? Most patients recover quickly, often returning to daily activities within 24 hours. You may experience some itching, burning, or watering of the eyes for the first few hours, along with mild discomfort such as scratchiness. Full visual stabilisation can take several weeks to months.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of corneal ring implants? The main purpose of corneal ring implants is to improve vision and reduce corneal distortion caused by conditions like keratoconus. They aim to slow down or halt the progression of the disease, providing a less invasive alternative to corneal transplantation for suitable candidates.
Q5. How do corneal ring implants compare to other treatments for keratoconus? Corneal ring implants offer a unique advantage as they are reversible and adjustable, unlike most surgical alternatives. They can significantly improve vision and contact lens tolerance for many patients, potentially delaying or even eliminating the need for corneal transplantation in some cases.
