Corneal Tissue Addition (CTAK). A less invasive path beyond transplant.
A custom-shaped corneal inlay that reshapes keratoconus from the inside - restoring clearer, more correctable vision without removing your cornea.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
- AdditiveAdds tissue, not cuts
- Custom-shapedMatched to your cornea
- Donor tissueSterilized, not plastic
- No transplantPreserves your cornea
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Corneal Tissue Addition (CTAK) in Plano, TX · Serving Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas & the North Dallas area
Who Corneal Tissue Addition (CTAK) is for.
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Keratoconus or corneal ectasia glasses can't correct well
- Difficulty tolerating rigid or scleral contact lenses
- A cornea too steep or irregular for laser correction
- Told a corneal transplant is your only option
- Stable cornea, often alongside cross-linking
We may recommend something else if…
- Significant central corneal scarring
- Active eye infection or inflammation
- Cornea too thin or advanced for an inlay
- Vision correctable comfortably with glasses
None of these are deal-breakers, they're reasons to look at the alternatives. We'll tell you straight at consultation.
Free 60-minute consult · If you're not a fit, we'll tell you.
How Corneal Tissue Addition (CTAK) works.
- 01Step 01
Map your cornea in 3-D
Corneal mappingWe capture a detailed three-dimensional map of your cornea to understand the exact shape and steepness of your cone. This map becomes the blueprint the entire procedure is built around.
- 02Step 02
Shape the donor inlay
Femtosecond laserA femtosecond laser sculpts the sterilized donor-tissue inlay to match your individual corneal map precisely - not a one-size-fits-all ring, but tissue shaped for your eye alone.
- 03Step 03
Place it within your cornea
Small channelThe same laser creates a small channel inside your own cornea, and the inlay is gently positioned within it - typically without stitches and while preserving the cornea you already have.
- 04Step 04
Reshape toward a regular cornea
Over the weeks afterOver the following weeks your cornea settles into a smoother, more regular shape, improving how light focuses in your eye and making it far more correctable with glasses or contacts again.
Questions about the procedure? We'll walk you through all of it.
What to expect, start to finish.
- Step 0160 min
Mapping & candidacy
Detailed corneal topography confirms the shape of your cone and whether CTAK - alone or with cross-linking - is the right fit for your eye.
- Step 02Pre-procedure
Inlay preparation
A femtosecond laser sculpts the sterilized donor-tissue inlay to match your individual corneal map precisely.
- Step 03Outpatient
Procedure
The laser creates a small channel in your cornea and the inlay is gently positioned inside - an outpatient procedure, typically without stitches.
- Step 04Weeks + follow-up
Reshaping & follow-up
Over the following weeks your cornea settles into a more regular shape. We track stability and fine-tune your correction once the eye is stable.
Your map, your candidacy, your plan — in one visit.
Clear costs. Real options.
One honest, all-in number — no surprises. Most patients use FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English.
Why we don't discount Corneal Tissue Addition (CTAK)
Coverage for CTAK varies by plan. We verify your benefits before you commit and quote any out-of-pocket portion in writing - no surgery-day surprises.
What patients say
Is CTAK a corneal transplant?
No. A transplant replaces your cornea with donor tissue. CTAK adds a small, custom-shaped piece of donor tissue inside your own cornea - preserving the cornea you have.Will I still need glasses or contacts after CTAK?
Often, and that's by design. CTAK's goal is to make your cornea regular enough that glasses or contacts work well and comfortably again. It's about restoring correctable, functional vision - not eliminating correction entirely.Where does the tissue come from? Is it safe?
The inlay is sterilized, treated donor corneal tissue prepared to strict standards. Because it's processed for sterility, the risk of rejection is very low compared to a full transplant.Is it permanent?
The inlay is intended to be long-lasting. Because no corneal tissue is removed, the procedure preserves more future options than a transplant.Can CTAK be combined with cross-linking?
Yes. Many keratoconus patients benefit from cross-linking to stabilize the cornea alongside CTAK to reshape it. Your consultation will determine the right sequence for your eye.Does insurance cover it?
Coverage varies. Our team reviews your specific plan and explains your options clearly before anything moves forward.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
Not the right fit? Here's what else we offer.
Picking the right procedure is a diagnosis question, not a marketing one. If your eyes are better served by a different path, we'll tell you.
See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Glasses on the nightstand. Contacts fighting you at the gym. The menu blurring at dinner. You don't have to live with it. Come find out what's possible for your eyes.
- 7,000+
- Surgeries by Dr. Shehz
- 2×
- Board-certified
- 1
- Surgeon. Every case.
- 5★
- Patient-rated on Google
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing