Intacs® Corneal Implants in Los Angeles, CA

At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA, our expert team of ophthalmologists is happy to offer men and women a variety of vision services that improve their quality of living and ocular health, including Intacs or corneal implants. Intacs look like small, semilunar implants that are about the size of a fingertip. When implanted into the eye, they provide additional structure to the cornea. Providing a more dome-like shape from the implants, the enhanced structure in the cornea helps light reach the retina, which promotes better vision. Intacs help improve eyesight for patients who have nearsightedness or astigmatism caused by keratoconus.

Generally, this procedure helps uncorrected vision; however, some patients may still need glasses or contacts following a procedure for keratoconus. Intacs makes it possible for individuals to wear contacts again and can help with myopia or nearsightedness in others. Please schedule an appointment at either of our offices in Encino or West Hills to receive a comprehensive eye exam and to determine if Intacs are right for you.

Keratoconus can affect your eyes to the point where even glasses and contacts can’t help you see clearly. Intacs corneal implants at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley can address this issue, with benefits that include:

• Reduces nearsightedness or astigmatism caused by keratoconus
• Surgery is quick and minimally invasive
• Overall improved vision
• Restores ability to wear contacts or glasses comfortably
• Lessens risk of complications associated with advanced keratoconus
• May reduce headaches caused by blurred vision

Intacs are transparent, small prostheses that are placed near the cornea to increase its structure and possibly improve astigmatism or myopia. Usually, these implants can help men and women who experience poor eyesight because of keratoconus, and contact lenses and glasses no longer help with visual acuity. For most patients, this procedure is effective, but unfortunately, there are a few candidates who may not qualify for Intacs, including:

• Pregnant women
• Another eye disorder that may produce future problems
• Prescribed medication that impacts the body’s ability to heal

After a comprehensive eye exam, our skilled eye surgeons can help you determine if Intacs implants are right for you.

Your Intacs corneal implant treatment is performed at either of our Los Angeles, CA offices and usually lasts around 10 – 30 minutes. To start, one of our team members will administer specialized eye drops that completely numb your eye. Next, we carefully place a speculum in your eye to stop blinking or other forms of movement. Using innovative laser technology, we create a small incision within the cornea. This advanced technology allows us to ensure even more accuracy and removes the requirement for manual incisions. After we have gently opened the cornea, we will place the Intacs implants into the correct location.

Following your surgery, you will need to schedule follow-up appointments so we can make sure your eye properly heals. In some cases, our eye doctors may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. This will help prevent infection as you recover. At first, you may also experience difficulties seeing at night or have blurry vision, but these symptoms should subside with time. To ensure you heal properly, you must follow the proper aftercare instructions given by our doctors. We will schedule your follow-up appointments at either our Encino or West Hills location, depending on what works best for you. During these appointments, we will monitor your healing and assess if your eyesight is improving.

How do I prepare for Intacs corneal implants?

During your initial appointment at OAV, it's important to inform us about your health history, including current eye conditions and prescription medications. We will use this information to determine if you're a good candidate for Intacs implantation surgery.

Do I need to restrict my activities afterward?

It's best to avoid strenuous physical activity for a short period after your procedure. This ensures your eyes heal properly from surgery. Our team can inform you about activity restrictions, which may or may not involve driving, contact sports, exercise, and swimming.

How can I make my recovery easier?

To ensure your Intacs surgery goes smoothly, follow all of our guidelines as provided and protect your eyes from damage. We recommend wearing dark sunglasses while out in the sun and avoiding UV rays as much as possible. Our doctors will closely monitor your progress and provide more recommendations during follow-up appointments.

Having difficulty seeing is a symptom that nobody looks forward to. Our skilled and experienced ophthalmologists at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA offer a variety of innovative treatments that can reduce vision loss caused by keratoconus. Intacs corneal implants are an advanced treatment that restores the natural structure of the cornea, which improves your quality of life and your ability to see. To learn more about how our excellent ocular team can help you, please contact either of our locations in Encino or West Hills.