Intracorneal Ring Segment Treatment (Intacs / Keraring)

No. The procedure is performed under topical (eye drop) anesthesia, and you will not feel any pain during surgery. In the days following the procedure, you may experience mild stinging or watering — this typically resolves within a short time.

The intracorneal ring segment procedure typically takes 10–15 minutes. Including preparation and rest time, the total time at the clinic averages 1–2 hours.

Most patients can return to their daily routine the following day. However, it is important to protect the eye during the first few days, avoid dusty environments, and use the prescribed eye drops as directed.

Vision may fluctuate in the first few days. Visual quality typically begins to improve within the first few weeks and stabilizes over the course of 1–3 months.

The goal of this treatment is not to eliminate your glasses prescription entirely. The aim is to improve visual quality and reduce irregular astigmatism by reshaping the corneal surface. Some patients find that their need for glasses decreases, while others are able to manage with a lower prescription.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments help improve vision, but they do not completely halt the progression of the disease. For this reason, combining the procedure with cross-linking treatment is recommended for many patients.

Because the rings are positioned within the cornea itself, most patients do not feel them. A mild foreign-body sensation may occur in the first few days, but this is temporary.

The rings are transparent and generally invisible to others. They can only be seen under special lighting or during an eye examination.

Rarely, a shift in ring position may occur. This is typically detected during follow-up examinations and can be addressed if necessary.

Yes. One of the significant advantages of intracorneal ring segment treatment is that it is reversible. When necessary, the rings can be removed or replaced.

Yes. In many patients, wearing rigid or hybrid contact lenses becomes more comfortable after intracorneal ring segment treatment, and better vision can be achieved.

While it cannot entirely prevent the need for corneal transplantation in every patient, it can delay that need by many years in the majority of cases.

Many patients experience a notable reduction in night vision difficulties and light scattering. However, results may vary from person to person.

When performed by experienced surgeons, the complication rate is low. Infection, ring migration, or light reflections may occur in rare cases.

Avoid rubbing your eyes Use the prescribed drops as directed Do not miss your follow-up examinations Protect your eye from impact in the first few days

No. A detailed eye examination, corneal topography, and corneal thickness measurements are required to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for treatment.

This procedure is most commonly performed in young and middle-aged patients with keratoconus. However, eligibility is determined by corneal structure, not age.