Intracorneal Ring Segments (ICRS)

Intracorneal rings are thin synthetic arch-shaped segments, which together have an inner diameter of 6.7mm and are implanted into the stromal bed of the cornea. They are implanted at the corneal periphery, which flattens the corneal center. Depending on the thickness of the ring, this procedure can correct nearsightedness between - 1 diopter and - 4 diopter.

Implantations of intracorneal ring segments have been performed since 1996, but they are still not considered a standard procedure. At the ALZ eye clinic, we usually only suggest ICRS if the reversibility of the procedure is very important to the patient, or if the patient has a keratoconus. More…

The implantation is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia and takes only 15 - 20 minutes. A small incision is created using the femtosecond laser. Through this opening, two semicircular channels are prepared with a special, crescent-shaped instrument. The two-piece synthetic ring (each of the semicircular plastic pieces has an arch length of 150 degrees) is placed in the channels on the corneal periphery.

The corneal center is flattened between the two ring segments, which changes the shape of the eye to correct the nearsightedness. The change in refractive power becomes noticeable within a few days. Due to the healing process, some fluctuations in vision may occur within the first 3 months after surgery but should decrease with time. Should the effect of treatment not be attained, the rings can be removed or replaced.