How are rings implanted?
Intacs. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, but less with the laser. The cornea is marked for the ring position (centered on the iris or pupil, depending on whether it is the Standard or SK model), a 1.2mm incision is made using a triple-edged diamond knife with a guard which limits depth at the implantation site to about 50-75% corneal thickness at the site. Then tunnels are made mechanically using suction and a probe, which separate the layers of the cornea like pages of a book, or a femtosecond laser which cuts a tunnel. Some surgeons prefer the former method as it does not cut any more fibers in an already damaged cornea and if the rings have to be removed the corneal tunnels return to normal. It also makes rings easier to implant than the laser which leaves fibers that need to be broken when the ring is inserted. Others prefer the laser because it is quicker, needs no suction and cuts very accurate tunnels although the flattening required for treatment may decenter the implant p
