I'm a member

Intrastromal corneal ring segments are flexible, crescent-shaped rings of polymethylmethacrylate that are placed in the periphery of the cornea. An incision is made in the cornea and channels are created in it by rotating a lamellar dissector or by using a femtosecond laser. One or two corneal implant segments are introduced to each channel, and various implants with a range of implant thicknesses are available for different degrees of correction. They affect refraction in the eye by physically changing the shape of the cornea (flattening the front of the eye), thereby correcting the irregular corneal shape. If required, the implants can be removed at a later date.

In myopia, the intrastromal inserts correct myopia by flattening the center of the cornea and represent an alternative to laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and other refractive surgeries.  The proposed advantages of the intrastromal corneal rings are that their insertion does not affect the central cornea and thus their effect is not related to the healing process in the cornea.  No corneal tissue is removed, and the implants are reversible.

Keratoconus is a progressive bilateral dystrophy that is characterized by paracentral steepening and stromal thinning that impairs visual acuity.   Initial treatment often consists of hard contact lenses.  A penetrating keratoplasty (i.e., corneal grafting) is the next line of treatment in those patients who develop intolerance to contact lenses.  While visual acuity is typically improved with a keratoplasty, perioperative complications is an associated risk, long-term topical steroid use is required, and endothelial cell loss occurs over time, which is a particular concern in younger patients.  As an alternative, a variety of keratorefractive procedures have been attempted, broadly divided into subtractive and additive techniques.  Subtractive techniques include photorefractive keratectomy or LASIK, but in general results of these techniques have been poor.  Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments represents an additive technique in which the implants are intended to reinforce the cornea, prevent further deterioration, and potentially obviate the need for a penetrating keratoplasty.  This technique has primarily been investigated in patients in whom the cornea has remained transparent and who are intolerant of contact lenses. 

INTACS represent an intrastromal corneal ring that has received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two indications:

In 1999, INTACS were approved through a premarket approval process (PMA) for the following labeled indication:

“The KeraVision Intacs are intended for the reduction or elimination of mild myopia (-1.00 to -3.00 diopters spherical equivalent at the spectacle plane) in patients:

• Who are 21 years of age or older;
• With documented stability of refraction as demonstrated by a change of less than or equal to 0.50d for at least 12 months prior to the preoperative examination; and
• Where the astigmatic component is +1.00 diopter or less.”

In 2004, INTACS received an additional FDA approval through the Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) process for the following indication:

“This device is indicated for the reduction or elimination of myopia and astigmatism in patients with keratoconus, who are no longer able to achieve adequate vision with their contact lenses or spectacles, so that their functional vision may be restored and the need for a corneal transplant procedure may potentially be deferred.   The specific set of keratoconic patients proposed to be treated with INTACS prescription inserts are those patients:

• Who have experienced a progressive deterioration in their vision, such that they can no longer achieve adequate functional vision on a daily basis with their contact lenses or spectacles;
• Who are 21 years of age or older;
• Who have clear central corneas;
• Who have a corneal thickness of 450 microns or greater at the proposed incision site; AND
• Who have corneal transplantation as the only remaining option to improve their functional vision.”

Note:   The humanitarian device exemption (HDE) does not require the manufacturer to provide data confirming the efficacy of the device, but rather data supporting its “probable” benefit.  The HDE process is available for devices treating conditions that affect less than 4,000 Americans per year.

Related medical policies include Endothelial Keratoplasty and Keratoprosthesis.

• The patient has experienced a progressive deterioration in their vision, such that they can no longer achieve adequate functional vision with contact lenses or spectacles; AND
• Corneal transplantation is the only alternative to improve their functional vision; AND
• The patient has a clear central cornea with a corneal thickness of 450 microns or greater at the proposed incision site.

Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments is considered not medically necessary as a treatment of myopia.

Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments is considered investigational for all other conditions.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

1/10/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

05/28/2010:  Policy description updated regarding treatment approaches.  Policy statement revised to add that this procedure may be medically necessary in specified conditions. Based on the new statement, moved 0099T from non-covered to covered and added ICD-9 codes 371.60 - 371.62. FEP verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section.

10/21/2010: Policy reviewed; no changes.

12/01/2011: Policy reviewed; no changes.

11/30/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document.

Covered Codes

Top