Revolutionary Keranatural CAIRS surgery using natural corneal implants. Restore your vision with the UK’s leading keratoconus specialists on Harley Street.
What Is Keratoconus and How Does CAIRS Transform Your Vision?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea (the clear front layer of your eye) gradually thins and bulges into a cone-like shape. This irregular curvature causes blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty with night vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or soft contact lenses.
Keranatural CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments) represents a revolutionary breakthrough in keratoconus treatment. Unlike synthetic implants, CAIRS uses natural, biocompatible donor corneal tissue that integrates seamlessly with your eye’s natural structure.
Led by renowned corneal and refractive surgeon Mr Mukhtar Bizrah, Harley Vision is a national leader in delivering CAIRS surgery with world-class outcomes and personalised care.
Our London keratoconus clinic specialises in CAIRS, as well as synthetic ring segments, advanced cornea wavefront laser treatment and cornea transplants.
How CAIRS Works: The Science Behind the Success
Our surgeons create precise micro-channels in your cornea using advanced femtosecond laser technology. Natural corneal segments are then carefully inserted to act as internal “architectural supports,” gently reshaping your cornea back to a more regular, stable curvature. This process improves vision and reinforces corneal biomechanics. While CAIRS does not biochemically halt keratoconus progression, it can be combined with Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) to achieve both vision improvement and disease stability.
Proven Results That Speak for Themselves
- Very high patient satisfaction: Rated 5 stars by most patients (source)
- Majority of patients experience reduced reliance on rigid contact lenses
- Most patients gain 2–3 lines of improved vision
Why CAIRS Is Superior to Traditional Keratoconus Treatments
Superior Biocompatibility
Made from natural donor corneal tissue, CAIRS offers exceptional biocompatibility and integrates naturally with your eye’s structure. Unlike synthetic materials such as PMMA or PEEK, which may lead to irritation or extrusion, CAIRS carries only a minimal risk of tissue-related reaction.
Dramatic Vision Improvement
Clinical studies show that most patients experience a meaningful improvement in vision after CAIRS surgery. On average, patients gain 3–4 lines of visual acuity, and around 60% achieve at least two lines of improvement. Additionally, over 80% show better uncorrected vision, often reducing or eliminating their reliance on contact lenses or glasses.
Structural Reinforcement, Not Biochemical Stabilisation
CAIRS significantly improves vision and strengthens the biomechanical structure of the cornea. While it does not stop the underlying progression of keratoconus, it can be combined with Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), which is clinically proven to halt keratoconus disease progression and preserve long-term corneal stability.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Performed under local anaesthetic in under 45 minutes. Most patients return to work within 2-3 days with minimal discomfort.
Fully Customised Treatment
Each CAIRS implant is precisely designed using advanced corneal topography and tomography, ensuring optimal fit and maximum visual benefit.
Future-Proof Solution
Preserves your natural corneal tissue, allowing for future treatments like Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), ICL implantation, or even laser eye surgery if needed.
CAIRS vs Traditional Treatments:
Keranatural CAIRS vs Synthetic Ring Segments (Intacs, Ferrara, Keraring) vs Corneal Transplant
Feature | Keranatural CAIRS | Synthetic Ring Segments (Intacs, Ferrara, Keraring) | Corneal Transplant |
Material | Natural donor corneal tissue | Synthetic PMMA/PEEK | Partial or full-thickness donor cornea |
Biocompatibility | Excellent – integrates naturally | Good – but may trigger foreign body response | Variable – immunosuppression (steroid eye drops) often needed |
Rejection Risk | Minimal – very low rejection (~0.2%) | No immune rejection, but 5–8% risk of extrusion, migration, or irritation | Moderate-high (10–20%) |
Recovery Time | 2–4 weeks; final visual recovery within 3-6 months | 4–6 weeks; visual recovery up to 3 months | 2–3 months; full recovery 6–12 months |
Long-term Stability | Excellent | Moderate – some risk of segment shift or extrusion | Depends on healing and graft health |
Visual Improvement | Most patients gain 3–4 lines of vision | 70–80% experience meaningful improvement | Excellent – especially in advanced cases |
Invasiveness | Minimally invasive | Minimally invasive | Major surgery |
Am I a Candidate for Keranatural CAIRS?
You may be a strong candidate for CAIRS if you:
- Have mild to moderate keratoconus with sufficient corneal thickness (≥400 microns at the planned implant zone)
- Experience progressive visual distortion despite using glasses or contact lenses
- Struggle with contact lens intolerance or discomfort
- Wish to avoid corneal transplantation or synthetic implants
- Are seeking a minimally invasive, tissue-preserving solution
At Harley Vision, we conduct a comprehensive assessment at our specialist London keratoconus clinic to determine your suitability.
Diagnostic Work-Up: Personalised and Precise
Before proceeding with treatment, a meticulous diagnostic evaluation is carried out at our London keratoconus clinic to ensure your suitability for CAIRS and to tailor your treatment plan for the best results. Our advanced imaging suite includes:
- MS-39 Anterior Segment OCT and Topographer – Provides ultra-high-resolution imaging for corneal thickness mapping, epithelial profile, and tear film analysis.
- Scheimpflug Imaging (Pentacam) – Offers 3D corneal tomography, measuring corneal shape, posterior elevation, and pachymetry across the entire cornea.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Used to visualise both epithelial and stromal layers in detail, identifying subtle ectatic changes.
- Wavefront Aberrometry – Evaluates higher-order aberrations and visual quality under different lighting conditions.
These technologies allow us to diagnose keratoconus at an early stage, stratify risk, and design a truly personalised CAIRS treatment plan.
The CAIRS Procedure: Step-by-Step
- Consultation & Imaging
A full corneal assessment using advanced diagnostic tools. - Custom Implant Design
Natural tissue segments are prepared and tailored to your eye. - Surgical Procedure
Performed under local anaesthetic using femtosecond laser guidance. Lasts approx. 30–45 minutes per eye. - Aftercare & Monitoring
Post-op check-ups at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Most patients resume normal activities in 2–3 days.
Emerging Treatments for Keratoconus
CTAK (Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty)
CTAK is a developing technique involving the addition of donor corneal tissue to strengthen and reshape the weakened cornea in keratoconus patients. It shares similarities with CAIRS but uses broader or differently shaped grafts and may be used in different keratoconus stages.
Note: CTAK is not currently offered in the UK, but as the evidence of it’s benefits and risks develops, it may become available in the near future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic. You’ll be awake but will not feel any pain during surgery.
Many patients reduce or in some cases eliminate their dependency on contact lenses or glasses. If you’re over 40, you may still need reading glasses due to natural presbyopia.
The surgery takes around 30–45 minutes per eye. Including preparation and monitoring, expect to be in the clinic for 2–3 hours.
No. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. Most patients report only mild post-operative discomfort, manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
Initial visual improvement is often noticeable within the first few weeks, with continued stabilisation and refinement over 3–6 months.
The natural tissue implants are designed to integrate with your cornea and typically last for life. Long-term follow-up is advised to monitor corneal health.
Yes. CAIRS is often combined with Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) to strengthen the cornea and prevent further disease progression. Future vision correction options like ICL or laser eye surgery remain open.
Most private health insurance policies do not currently cover CAIRS, as it is considered a novel or specialist procedure. We recommend checking with your provider.
As with any eye procedure, there are some risks such as temporary light sensitivity, glare, minor discomfort or no significant vision improvement. Serious complications are rare, particularly with experienced cornea surgeons and proper patient selection.
Yes. Harley Vision offers 0% interest finance options for eligible patients to help spread the cost of your procedure.
Take Action: Don’t Let Keratoconus Progress
Keratoconus is a progressive disease that often worsens over time. Early treatment at Harley Vision with CAIRS and cross-linking can help:
- Improve vision and reduce irregular astigmatism
- Reduce reliance on rigid contact lenses
- Stop keratoconus from getting worse
- Delay or avoid corneal transplantation
- Preserve natural corneal tissue and treatment options
Contact Harley Vision Today
📞 Phone: 0207 030 3181
📨 Email: [email protected]
📍 Clinic: Central London clinics including Harley street
🌐 Book online: https://harleyvision.com/contact-us/
Take the first step toward clearer, more stable vision with the UK’s leading keratoconus specialists.