Corneal Inlays - Applications, Benefits, and Complications

Introduction

Corneal inlays have emerged as a new option for individuals who need vision correction but without the use of traditional glasses and contact lenses. These corneal inlays are implanted into the cornea to address the visual issues and offer an effective alternative for corrective eyewear. This article elaborates on the applications, benefits, and considerations of corneal inlays.

What Are Corneal Inlays?

Corneal inlays are tiny devices that are inserted into the cornea of the eye, which is the transparent part of the eye that is located in front. These corneal inlays are mostly made up of biocompatible materials like hydrogel or sometimes synthetic polymers. The inserted corneal inlays change the shape of the cornea to improve its focusing power. These corneal inlays are applied in various refractive error issues of the eye. It is a minimally invasive procedure. It also has certain complications to the eye. The choice of material for corneal inlays is essential to ensure that the inlays adapt well to the surrounding tissues of the cornea without causing any side effects to the surrounding tissues.

• Hydrogel: It is a flexible material that has a water-absorbing property that mimics the natural features of the cornea. Hydrogel inlays are pliable and soft structures that provide a good biocompatible property.

• Synthetic Polymers: Some of the corneal inlays are also made from synthetic materials. They are made with the property to integrate into the cornea of the eye. These synthetic materials are used for their biocompatibility with eye tissues.

What Are the Applications of Corneal Inlays?

Corneal inlays are applied for various conditions of the eye in the field of vision correction. Some of the applications include

• Correction of Presbyopia: It is the primary application of corneal inlays. Presbyopia is an age-related eye disorder where the eye's ability will focus on focusing on closer objects. In such conditions, corneal inlays are used to improve near vision. Thus, corneal inlays reduce the need for corrective glasses and lenses.

• Correction of Refractive Error: One of the applications of corneal inlays is that they can be used to correct refractive errors like myopia and hyperopia. Myopia means nearsightedness, and hyperopia means farsightedness. Thus, in such cases, corneal inlays provide an alternative to traditional corrective glasses and contact lenses.

• Correction of Monovision: Corneal inlays are used in the monovision technique. The monovision technique means correcting one eye for far vision and another eye for near vision. This use of corneal inlays in the monovision technique allows individuals to maintain clear vision without corrective glasses and contact lenses.

What Are the Benefits of Corneal Inlays?

Corneal inlays provide various benefits in the field of vision correction. Some of the primary benefits include

• Minimal Invasion: When compared to traditional surgical options for vision correction like LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), corneal inlays are a quick and minimally invasive procedure.

• Reversibility: If the patients experience problems and issues in vision correction after the insertion of corneal inlays or if the prescription changes, it can be easily removed and replaced with other inlays. Thus, corneal inlays are reversible and provide flexibility to vision correction procedures.

• Reduction in Glasses Dependency: It is the primary advantage or benefit of corneal inlays. Corneal inlays eliminate the dependence on corrective glasses. Apart from all the corrections, corneal inlays are specific in correcting the near vision. Thus, it can be used to address presbyopia and other refractive errors. Corneal inlays offer great relief for individuals with visual impairment.

• Vision Improvement: The main aim of the corneal inlays is to improve vision by changing the shape of the cornea in various conditions where there is difficulty in focusing the closer objects and other refractive problems.

• Corneal Tissue Preservation: When compared to other surgical procedures for vision correction, in corneal inlays only minimal corneal tissues are removed. This tissue preservation helps in faster recovery and decreases the risk of complications.

What Are the Complications of Corneal Inlays?

When compared to other surgical procedures, corneal inlays possess a very minimal risk. Complications are rare with this procedure. Some of the common complications include

• Infection: There will be a very small risk of infection with any procedures that are done to correct the cornea. This risk can be eliminated through proper preoperative and postoperative care.

• Keratitis (Corneal Inflammation): Inflammation of the cornea is said to be keratitis. Corneal inflammation can cause discomfort and potential visual impairment. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to manage this type of complication.

• Dry Eyes: Corneal inlays procedure may temporarily affect tear production in the eye, which leads to dry eyes. This can be corrected through artificial tears or lubricating drops for the eyes.

• Visual Disturbances: Some individuals may experience visual disturbances like halos, glare, or difficulty in night vision during the initial stage of implantation of corneal inlays.

• Scarring: It is a surgical complication that can happen during the surgery. Corneal perforation or scarring may be the most serious risk while implanting the corneal inlays. This again needs a surgical intervention to correct it.

What Are the Considerations for Corneal Inlays?

Several considerations are important for implanting corneal inlays. Some of them include.

• Eligibility of Patient: Corneal inlays can not be done for everyone. Some factors like age, specific visual correction, and overall eye health should be considered while determining the eligibility of the candidate for this procedure. The proper eye examination is required to find suitable candidates for the corneal inlays procedure.

• Practical Expectations: Individuals undergoing corneal inlays procedure should have realistic and practical expectations about the procedure. Even Though they get a significant improvement in their vision, the outcome of the procedure may not be guaranteed. The experiences may vary for different individuals.

• Medical History: Eye care professionals need to get a thorough medical history of the patients, including the existence of any eye conditions or any other general medical condition that may affect the outcome of the procedure.

• Complications: Individuals should be aware of potential complications of the procedure, like visual disturbance, infection, and inflammation.

• Postoperative Care: After the procedure, the patients should strictly adhere to the postoperative care as instructed by their specialists. Postoperative care may include regularization of the prescribed medications, routine follow-ups, and recommended lifestyle changes.

Conclusion

Corneal inlays have been an emerging advancement in the field of vision correction. It may become a popular choice for individuals who seek enhancement in their visual activity. It may be a very helpful procedure for individuals uncomfortable wearing corrective glasses and lenses. Reaching out to eye care professionals may be beneficial.