Another question about Intacs...

Hello, I'm new to this group. I'm interested in getting Intacs. I was
told by someone in a clinic (where I'm interested in getting them)
that Intacs are not offered as much anymore because they have more
complications than LASIK. The person who told me this said LASIK was
better and that it worked for her. I would like to know if you think
the people at this clinic are being biased toward LASIK or if it is
true that Intacs really do have more complications. I would really
appreciate an answer.

"roxipati"

 

Dear Roxipati,

What are "Intacs"? Do you mean Contact lenses?


Otis

 

Intacs is the trade name for the Intrastromal Corneal Ring (ICRS,
www.getintacs.com) implants. These are tiny curved slivers of plastic
that are inserted into the outer edge of the cornea. The insertion of
the material flattens the center of the cornea, providing correction
for up to 3.00 diopters of myopia (nearsightedness).

Intacs have fallen out of favor for two primary reasons. The company
that developed made some tactical business errors, Intacs have a
limited range of correction, and they require real surgical skill.
There are many doctors who I lovingly refer to as "LASIK Jockeys" who
can do LAISK very well, but have forgotten how to do real surgery.

Today, the channel into which the Intacs are implanted can be created
with the IntraLase femtosecond laser for greater accuracy and ease of
placement. They continue to be a viable technique for myopes under
3.00 diopters with less than 0.50 diopter astigmatism.

I think it would be fair to say that Intacs and LASIK have about the
same rate of complications, but that is a point that would be argued
by both fans of Intacs and fans of LASIK.

If you would like a referral to a surgeon who provides Intacs, let me
know.

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
http://www.USAeyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

 

(Glenn Hagele - Council for Refractive

FYI, Intacs has been successful to about -6.00, but more practically for
those with less than -4.25. Recent evaluation of Intacs for the
treatment of keratoconus is showing some exciting results.

The "tactical business error" made by the company was to market the
procedure to LASIK docs who: 1. had a vested interest in NOT using
Intacs and 2. as you noted, to doctors who had no interest in learning
the surgical skills. Keravision "learned" of this mistake in Europe and
followed up by doing the same thing in the USA. They got exactly what
they deserved for their stupidity.

Let's hope that Staar Surgical doesn't do the same with the implantable
contact lens. The ICL does require more surgical skill, of course, than
what "LASIK Jockeys" are into.

And if I were in that range, a silicone hydrogel continuous wear contact
lens would be a lot safer option!

No point, though. Time to move on to ICL! A "famous LASIK doc" I know
seems to think that ICL will be the standard of care for myopes above
about -7.00 or -8.00. We'll see.

Regards,

Larry

--
Dr. Larry Bickford, O.D.
Family Practice Eye Health & Vision Care

The Eyecare Connection
http//www.eyecarecontacts.com
larrydoc at m a c.c o m

 

Dear Glenn Hagele,

Thanks for replying to my message. I would like a referral to a
surgeon who provides Intacs. I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

Roxipati

 

I have emailed you directly. If you do not receive my email, contact
me at .

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
http://www.USAeyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org
glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

I am not a doctor.

 

Sir, your usenet "handle", being so long, really screws up the Google
postings in this forum. How about just making it Glenn Hagele for
those of us who are limited to using google for usenet? Thanks.