When I started college I was an Ocean Lifeguard. At school, I found it harder to focus on textbooks. I thought it was just the chlorine from the pool. I had my eyes checked and I was diagnosed with astigmatism in one eye and I started wearing glasses while studying. As lifeguarding became my chosen profession, I found it hard to focus in the afternoon as the Southern California sun set lower in the sky.

When running out for a rescue, I would often lose my prescription sunglasses. I tried soft lenses, but sand got under them and that was uncomfortable. The lenses often slid up behind my eyes and even floated away when I swam. I often went without correction because of the irritation. By late afternoon I would see double images of objects far away, such as a boat on the horizon.

When laser eye surgery became available, I was excited. However, I was discouraged to learn that I had keratoconus in one eye and was not a candidate for LASIK. I came across an article and some studies by Dr. Boxer Wachler. I was optimistic after my first meeting with him in 1999. He explained a new procedure Intacs that would help correct my keratoconus and vision. Back then Intacs had not been reported on a patient with keratoconus in the United States, but he felt it was ready to be attempted. As I was a good candidate, I welcomed the opportunity.  A week after surgery, the vision in that eye improved to a great degree. I was able to see nearly equally with both eyes and it was unnecessary to wear glasses or contacts at work. After a few months I noticed that I was relying more and more on the corrected eye!

It has now been about eight years since I had Intacs and I still do not wear corrective lenses. I am able to pick objects out of the glare on the horizon and street signs on the freeway well before I need to turn. The freedom I have gained and the confidence I now have in my vision has proven invaluable to me and my ability to continue in my profession.

The ability to see well in lifeguarding is critical, and I no longer have the worry that I might miss something that could result in someone’s pain, suffering or their life. I owe this self assuredness to Dr. Boxer Wachler and to Intacs.

I feel fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time in history. I can

appreciate the saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” I am glad that my pioneering experience helped pave the way for the thousands of other patients who have subsequently benefited from innovative advancements for keratoconus. I am pleased to dedicate this book to the thousands of future patients who will benefit from these innovations.

- Kenny Atkins, first reported Intacs® for

keratoconus patient in the United States

Learn more about keratoconus treatments: www.FixesYourKC.com - watch a free educational seminar.

If you suffer from keratoconus or simply want to find a way to improve your vision without having to undergo laser surgery, you might be interested in using Intacs corneal implants.  There are many benefits associated with Intacs, whether you have Keratoconus or not, which has resulted in a growing number of people deciding to use these implants rather than undergo laser eye surgery.

The Benefits of Using Intacs

If you suffer vision problems, using Intacs is a great way to improve your vision.  In addition to the improved vision you will enjoy, Intacs also provide benefits such as:

1. They are removable and no permanent changes are made to your eyes
2. The natural shape of your cornea is not changed
3. You can use other methods for vision correction in the future if you desire
4. Unlike standard contacts, they are maintenance free

When it comes to laser eye surgery, the shape of your cornea actually has to be changed. This means that you may experience greater vision problems in the future if it turns out that you suffer from keratoconus or any other eye disease that affects the size or shape of your cornea.  In addition, laser surgery is permanent and cannot be undone.  Intacs, on the other hand, can be removed if you desire and changed as your vision needs change.

Safely Improving Your Vision

Intacs implants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  In addition, they have been approved for pilots to use and have been repeatedly proven effective over the course of 11 years worth of clinical research.  Although Intacs are not effective for all people with poor vision, approximately 70% of the population can effectively improve its vision with Intacs.  In fact, they are a viable solution for people suffering from the degenerative eye disease of keratoconus.

Implanting Intacs

The process of implanting Intacs is actually easier than you might think.  Since the implants are extremely thin, the eye doctor is able to insert them beneath the outer edge of the surface of your eye, an area that is referred to as the cornea.  The process is so simple that it is an outpatient procedure.

Unlike standard removable contacts, you don’t feel Intacs after they have been inserted in your eye.  Once they are inserted, they gently reshape our cornea’s curvature so it becomes properly shaped without actually removing any corneal tissue.  By reshaping the cornea, light rays are able to properly pass through your cornea so they can be properly focused upon.  These results in sharper and clearer vision.

Enjoying Great Results

The results of Intac corneal implants are quite impressive.  More than 97% of people that get the implants are able to pass the vision tests necessary to get their driver’s licenses without needing to wear glasses.  Amazing, more than 50% of patients are also able to achieve vision that is better than 20/20 after having the surgery.

Since Intacs do not permanently change your eye and can be changed as your needs change, it is a great option for those that are nearsighted as well as for those suffering from the degenerative eye disease keratoconus.