Global InformationCorneal inlay information
A corneal inlay (also called an intracorneal implant)[1] is a device which is surgically implanted in the cornea of the eye as a treatment for presbyopia.[2] Successful installation results in reducing dependence on reading glasses, so that the user can more easily engage in everyday tasks such as using a mobile phone, reading store shelf prices and working on a computer.
Corneal inlays are small, thin, and permeable. Typically one is implanted in the non-dominant eye.
Jose Barraquer created the first corneal inlay prototype in 1949 in Barcelona, Spain. The flint glass material which he used, however, was found to be unsuitable because of biocompatibility issues.[3] Other transparent, permeable materials were tested, including hydrogel polymers in the 1960s.[3]
Some early corneal inlay recipients experienced complications, such as corneal opacification, thinning and melting. Researchers soon found that, as well as the material, the thickness of the inlay and the depth at which it was implanted were important, as well as permeability and centration. There was a delay in the general introduction of the treatment while considerable research was done to find safe and reliable combinations of these factors.[1]
The US FDA approved the KAMRA corneal inlay in April 2015.[4] The inlays are in commercial use in US, some countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East.[5] The inlays are implanted into the cornea either in a laser-created corneal pocket or lamellar corneal flap (similar to LASIK).[6][7] The inlays can be removed should the patient develop another condition requiring medical treatment.[3]
- ^ a b Ashok Garg; Jorge L. Alió (2010). Refractive Surgery. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. pp. 330–. ISBN 978-81-8448-777-0.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Frank Joseph Goes (1 January 2013). The Eye in History. JP Medical Ltd. pp. 439–. ISBN 978-93-5090-274-5.
- ^ a b c Whitman, Jeffrey. "Corneal inlays provide safe, reversible option for presbyopia treatment." Ocular Surgery News U.S. Edition 2012 Aug.
- ^ "Corneal Inlays: A Surgical Alternative to Reading Glasses". American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2021-03-24.
- ^ "Corneal Inlays - EyeWiki". eyewiki.aao.org.
- ^ Lucio Buratto (2003). Phacoemulsification: Principles and Techniques. SLACK Incorporated. pp. 536–. ISBN 978-1-55642-604-9.
- ^ Ashok Garg; Jorge L. Alió; Eric D. Donnenfeld (2012). Femtosecond Laser: Techniques and Technology. JP Medical Ltd. pp. 40–. ISBN 978-93-5025-876-7.