How do Intacs work?
Intacs are a new, non-laser surgical approach to vision correction specifically designed to correct mild myopia (nearsightedness). They provide an alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses and surgical procedures that permanently alter the eye by cutting or removing tissue from the central optical zone. When placed in the periphery of the cornea, Intacs are intended to reshape corneal curvature without removing tissue from the optical zone, which is the critical area for clear vision. This subtle reshaping is designed to make nearsighted corneas flatter, thereby correcting vision. The thickness of Intacs determines the flattening effect on the cornea and the amount of nearsightedness treated. In the U.S., there are three sizes of Intacs to treat people with mild nearsightedness (-1.0 to -3.0 diopters, with 1 diopter or less of astigmatism). This is the largest segment of nearsighted people.
