New York City LASIK Blog
New York, Manhattan, Long Island LASIK
Archive for February, 2010
Intacs vs. Laser Vision Correction
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Intacs corneal implants and laser vision correction are very different methods to correct refractive errors in your vision. While they primarily address different eye conditions, they both are effective options to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism.
Intacs are small curved pieces of plastic that get inserted into your cornea to flatten its curvature. Eyes suffering from myopia have a steeply curved cornea that bends light too sharply. Intacs can correct this condition by flattening the curve of your cornea so that light can focus clearly on the retina.
Intacs can also be an effective method of treating astigmatism, which causes blurry vision at all distances due to an oval-shaped cornea. Intacs can be placed in your cornea in a way that returns your cornea to a more spherical shape. However, Intacs are primarily used to treat Keratoconus, a condition marked by a gradual bulging of the cornea.
Laser vision correction is one of the most popular options to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. New York ophthalmologist Dr. James Kelly offers a variety of laser vision correction options, including:
One of the main differences between Intacs corneal implants and laser vision correction is that the Intacs procedure is reversible. Your corneal implants can be replaced with a different set of Intacs as your eye condition worsens, or they can be removed altogether. Laser vision correction is a permanent procedure that reshapes your cornea using an excimer laser. Therefore, once you opt for laser vision correction, there is no turning back.
At your initial consultation, Dr. Kelly will review your options with you and recommend the most effective procedure based on your eye condition.
Please contact our New York ophthalmologists today to schedule your initial consultation. Kelly Laser Center serves patients in New York City, Long Island, and Manhattan, New York.
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Keratoconus
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Keratoconus is a condition affecting your cornea. Due to fluid exerting pressure on the wall of your eyeball, your cornea bulges forward in the center, becoming thinner and changing from a round shape to a cone-like shape. Keratoconus leads to the following vision issues:
- Distorted vision
- Blurred vision
- Seeing multiple images
- Increased sensitivity to light
This is a progressive condition. In other words, it gets worse over time, resulting in increasing levels of nearsightedness and astigmatism.
There are a variety of treatments which can help correct vision issues caused by Keratoconus. New York ophthalmologist Dr. James Kelly will recommend the appropriate treatment based on the severity of your condition:
- Contact lenses - These may be able to correct the condition at first, but as your corneal bulging gets more severe, you may need to explore alternative treatments. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts may help smooth the shape of your cornea, but they are often uncomfortable. You may be able to “piggyback” two pairs of contact lenses – one soft and one RGP – with the soft lenses touching your eyes to increase comfort.
- Scleral lenses – These contact lenses are larger in diameter, and as a result, the edges rest outside the cornea on the sclera (white portion of your eye). This reduces corneal pressure.
- Intacs corneal implants - These are curved pieces of plastic which get inserted beneath the surface of your cornea. Intacs corneal implants push against the periphery of your cornea in order to flatten the curvature. Intacs are an excellent treatment option once your corneal curvature is too severe to be treated by contact lenses.
- Surgery - Once your condition worsens to the point where Intacs are no longer effective, Dr. Kelly can perform a corneal transplant. He can either replace the entire cornea or do a partial-thickness replacement. The surgery should improve your vision, but you may still need corrective lenses for optimum vision.
Please contact our New York ophthalmologists today to schedule your free initial consultation with Dr. Kelly, serving Manhattan, New York City, and Long Island, New York.
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Intacs Corneal Implants
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Intacs corneal implants are thin plastic crescents inserted into the sides of your cornea to correct irregularly curved corneas. They have been approved by the FDA to treat mild cases of myopia as well as Keratoconus, a progressive eye condition which is caused by bulging of your cornea in front of the iris. Over time, this condition gradually worsens, resulting in a steeper curvature at the center of your cornea.
Intacs are constructed of a biocompatible material which rarely interacts poorly with your body. As your Keratoconus gets more severe, you may need to switch out your Intacs with a different size to provide the proper treatment.
The Intacs procedure can be completed in approximately 15 minutes. New York ophthalmologist Dr. James Kelly will administer anesthetic eye drops and a mild sedative before performing the procedure. He will then place your Intacs outside of your visual field so that you cannot see them. The device will be inserted between the sub-layers of your cornea’s stroma (middle layer). Dr. Kelly will choose the appropriate thickness of Intacs based on the visual distortion you experience.
You should notice an improvement in your vision within a day or two. It is important to get proper rest after the procedure to facilitate the healing process. Depending on the severity of your Keratoconus, you may still need corrective lenses after your procedure.
Intacs corneal implants are a highly effective treatment for Keratoconus, and approximately 96% of patients can see well at all distances following the procedure.
Please contact our New York ophthalmologists today to schedule your free initial consultation with Dr. Kelly, serving Manhattan, New York City, and Long Island, New York.
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