CAIRS in Vienna – Intracorneal Ring Segments from Donor Tissue for Keratoconus

The main advantage lies in the natural integration of the donor tissue into your cornea, which completely prevents an uncomfortable foreign body sensation. Due to this high biocompatibility, there is a significantly lower risk of inflammation or rejection, as the cornea does not recognize the ring as a foreign material. This enables permanent and more stable vision improvement without the disadvantages of conventional plastic implants.

The donor tissue comes exclusively from certified eye banks, which are subject to the highest quality and safety standards in Austria and the EU. Each tissue preparation is carefully tested and processed according to strict ethical guidelines to exclude the transmission of any diseases. Only flawless material is used for implantation at EyeLaser to ensure your safety.

The CAIRS operation itself is completely painless thanks to local anesthesia with special eye drops. After the procedure, however, there may be a slight foreign body sensation for a short time, usually only a few hours, comparable to an eyelash in the eye. This feeling is normal and quickly subsides; pain-relieving drops are provided to help.

Cost coverage depends on your individual insurance plan and the medical necessity of the procedure. While statutory health insurance (e.g., ÖGK) in Austria often does not fully cover this method, private supplementary insurances often contribute to the treatment costs. It is advisable to obtain a detailed cost estimate from EyeLaser beforehand and submit it to your insurance for clarification.

First noticeable improvements in vision usually occur after just 1–2 days, once the initial swelling has subsided. However, the full and final stabilization of visual acuity takes a little more time and is usually achieved after a few weeks up to two months, as the cornea first needs to adapt to the new curvature. During this time, it is important to adhere to follow-up appointments at EyeLaser.

Technically, removal of the CAIRS segments is possible at any time, as the procedure is reversible, but this is only medically necessary in the rarest of cases. Since the transplant tissue integrates so well into the natural structure of the cornea, the solution is designed to be permanent, and complications requiring removal are extremely unlikely. Removal would only be considered in very specific, postoperative necessities.

The combination of CAIRS with Crosslinking (CXL) is a very commonly used and established standard in keratoconus treatment in Austria. CAIRS first reshapes the corneal structure and improves visual acuity, while crosslinking subsequently additionally strengthens the collagen fibers and stops keratoconus. This synergistic treatment thus offers the best chances for long-term stability and optimal visual results.

The risk of a classic rejection reaction, as known from other transplants, is extremely low and hardly relevant with CAIRS. This is because the cornea contains no blood vessels, and thus the body’s immune system can only reach it to a very limited extent. The donor tissue is also carefully prepared and very well accepted by the body.

No, the CAIRS operation is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home on the same day. However, since you must not drive yourself and your vision may be impaired for a few hours after the surgery, an escort for the journey home from the EyeLaser clinic in Vienna or Linz is absolutely necessary. Please plan the entire stay, including preparation and follow-up, carefully.

The goal of CAIRS treatment is a significant reduction in refractive errors, so that many patients no longer need glasses in everyday life. However, it is possible that you may still need light glasses for specific activities such as reading small print (presbyopia) or driving at night. The need for visual aids will significantly decrease compared to the condition before the operation.

The most important preparation is the timely discontinuation of your contact lenses, as these temporarily deform the corneal surface. The EyeLaser team will inform you of the exact deadlines (typically 2–4 weeks beforehand) during your personal preliminary consultation, as these depend on your type of lens. Furthermore, you will receive detailed instructions on the use of eye drops for surgical preparation.

Should preliminary examinations reveal that CAIRS is not the best option for your eyes, there are various proven alternatives in ophthalmology. These include crosslinking alone for stabilizing keratoconus, the fitting of special, form-stable contact lenses for optimal correction, or, in advanced cases, a partial corneal transplant (DMEK/DALK). The EyeLaser team will advise you comprehensively on the best treatment option for you.