Corneal Implants such as KeraVision rings and Intacs are a revolutionary way to correct mild nearsightedness. They provide an alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses and surgical procedures that permanently alter the eye by cutting or removing tissue from the central cornea. Intacs gently change the shape of your cornea to correct your vision. In the nearsighted eye, the curve of the cornea is too steep. Light rays entering the eye are bent too much and are focused in front of the retina instead of on it. As a result, things far away appear blurry. Corneal implants change the shape of the cornea, allowing the light rays to focus on the retina.

A tiny opening, less than 2 mm, is made near the upper edge of the cornea beneath the eyelid. Precise, specially calibrated instruments are used to create two small tunnels in the periphery of the cornea. The corneal tissue is separated, but not cut. The corneal implants are inserted through the opening so that they rest in these tunnels, between the layers of corneal tissue. Once in place, the two arcs flatten the cornea so that light rays can properly focus on the retina.

Recovery time: 2 to 3 days.