Chicagoland Intacs surgery for keratoconus

Get advanced treatment for keratoconus at Advocate Health Care. Our expert ophthalmologists use the Intacs procedure on patients with the degenerative condition, which changes the shape of the cornea over time, impairing vision.

How does Intacs help?

In the early stages of keratoconus, soft contact lenses can improve vision. As the condition progresses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses may be needed. Until recently, if RGP contacts became difficult to wear, a corneal transplantation was the last resort.

Now, Intacs corneal implants can be used to improve vision and reduce the distortion caused by keratoconus. Insertion of Intacs is a minor outpatient procedure performed within 20 minutes with little to no discomfort.

The goal of Intacs is to slow down or stop the progression of the keratoconus. Patients who've had an Intacs procedure can usually return to wearing soft contact lenses or glasses. In some cases, Intacs may completely correct vision.