What is Keratoconus? 
Keratoconus is a disease that creates a thinning of the cornea or the
clear front surface of the eye. Normal outward pressure within the eye
causes the cornea to progressively bulge into a cone-like shape. The
change in the cornea's shape can have a dramatic impact on one's vision.
In more severe cases, normal everyday activities such as driving and
reading can be difficult to perform.  Although keratoconus rarely
results in total blindness, 20% of all patients will at some time need
to undergo a corneal transplant, according to medical experts.

Who gets keratoconus?
Researchers estimate that keratoconus affects 1 in 2000 people. The
disease affects men and women alike and there are no known differences
between races. Although the cause of the disease is unknown, research
has suggested that genetics, allergies and other environmental factors
may contribute to the onset of the disease.

How can it be treated?
Typically, an eye care professional will treat early stage keratoconus
with contact lenses or glasses addressing the early vision correction
needs of the patient. In later stages, rigid gas permeable contact
lenses are often recommended. These lenses are used to improve one's
vision and to brace the bulge in the cornea. In advanced cases, where
the patient can no longer achieve adequate functional vision with
contact lenses, corneal transplant surgery may be necessary. 

Intacs Surgery
Due to the onset and progression of keratoconus, the weakened cornea
looses its natural dome-like shape.  As a result, the light rays
entering the eye are no longer focused properly, impairing one's ability
to see images clearly. Intacs are specially designed inserts, made of
medical plastic, which are surgically placed under the surface of the
cornea.  Due to their unique patented design, Intacs are able to remodel
the architecture of the cornea re-establishing a more natural dome-like
shape and improving one's vision.