Keratoconus Treatment with Intacs in Chicago / Des Plaines
A closer look at keratoconus.
Keratoconus is a disease that causes a progressive thinning of the cornea, the clear front portion of the eye. As a result of this condition, the normal outward pressure from within the eye causes the cornea to progressively bulge into a cone-like shape. Keratoconus rarely results in total blindness although it can significantly impair vision and according to experts, lead to the need for a corneal transplant in up to 20% of cases.
While nobody knows the cause of keratoconus, there is evidence that the disease has genetic origins possibly made worse by environmental factors. It normally affects both eyes, though it typically progresses at different rates. In most people, keratoconus begins during their teen years and slowly worsens before stabilizing in their 30's or 40's.
Keratoconus is estimated to affect one in 2,000 people across all races. It is normally treated with rigid contact lenses to reshape and flatten the pronounced curve of the bulging cornea and to improve vision. A proper contact lens can be uncomfortable and lead to additional complications like corneal abrasions, scarring or infection.
A closer look at Intacs.
Intacs prescription inserts provide a unique new option to improve a patient's vision and possibly defer a corneal transplant. Intacs are indicated for the correction of nearsightedness and astigmatism for patients with keratoconus, where contact lenses and glasses no longer provide suitable vision.
For those keratoconic patients who are contact lens intolerant, Intacs prescription inserts offer a less threatening option than a corneal transplant. Dr. James Katz, a corneal specialist, would prefer to delay a corneal transplant – to make it the option of last resort. Intacs prescription make this a possibility by improving functional vision, and possibly delaying the need for a corneal transplant.
The goal of the Intacs procedure is to provide the keratoconic patient with the ability to achieve improved functional vision with contact lenses or glasses and in some cases without them. In the few patients who later had a corneal transplant after having the Intacs procedure, their transplants were completed with any complications. Call The Midwest Center for Sight to set up an appointment with Chicago laser eye surgery and corneal specialist Dr. James Katz to see if Intacs are right for you.
Will insurance cover this procedure?
Insurance companies may cover all aspects of the procedure for keratoconus. Since this is a new indication, some insurers may not yet recognize this procedure for treating keratoconus.
Addition Technology, Inc., the manufacturer of Intacs, is working to educate insurers on the importance of the Intacs procedure for treating keratoconic patients.