Conductive Keratoplasty

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

Conductive Keratoplasty is the first non-laser treatment for farsighted patients. CK uses radiofrequency energy to correct mild to moderate farsightedness, requiring no laser and no cutting.

CK was approved by the FDA in April 2002 after five years of international study and two years of US study. Candidates for CK usually have one or more of the following visual complaints:
– Began wearing glasses after age 40
– Currently wear bifocals
– Have trouble changing focus from distance to near.

To determine whether you are a candidate for this procedure, call us for a telephone screening. If it appears you are a candidate, the next step is a comprehensive 2-3 hour examination The procedure price includes:
– Comprehensive 2-3 hour pre-operative examination
– The CK procedure
– Post-operative care through 3 months
– Enhancements (another procedure to fine-tune your vision) through the first year. Dr. Matta performs this procedure.

For more information, call us today at (800)50 EYE MD.

Conductive Keratoplasty is a relatively new procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to shrink collagen tissue within the cornea to treat low to moderate farsightedness and presbyopia.Using a controlled release of radiofrequency energy into the stroma (the third layer of cornea), the temperature of the corneal tissue is increased, which makes the cornea steeper and increases its focusing power.

CK is for those who:
– want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses, reading glasses or contacts
– have difficulty with close vision.
– are at least 40 years of age.
– have not had a significant change in their vision for one year.
– have no health issues affecting their eyes.
– have not had previous vision correction surgery.
– are not pregnant or nursing

First, your eye will be completely numbed with powerful eye drop anesthesia. When your eye is completely numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure. Then either sitting upright as if undergoing an eye exam or lying back, you`ll be asked to look at the microscope light. Your eye will be marked with a series of dots.

Your surgeon will touch the dots with the probe making a full circle around the outer margins of the cornea. There will be eight to 32 treatment points, depending on the amount of correction needed. As the dots are touched, heat from the radio waves shrinks the tissue, producing a clenching effect that creates a more curved cornea. Some patients elect to have only one eye treated to give them monovision.

Soon after the procedure, your eyes will be examined and you will go home and relax for the rest of the day. For the first couple of days, you may experience some scratchiness in your eyes, or excessive watering. This rapidly improves and medications can be taken to relieve any discomfort. Normal activities are generally resumed within a day or two. While many patients see improvement in their near vision immediately after the procedure, it usually takes a few weeks to several months for the results to be fully realized.

As with other vision correction procedures, you may experience some discomfort and light sensitivity (glare or halos) for a few days following CK.Around age 40, most people begin facing the inevitable need for corrective lenses in order to see clearly at close range.
But now, thanks to a new advancement in eye care, qualified patients can undergo a simple outpatient procedure to improve near vision. For good candidates, the surgery will reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses in people whose eyesight has grown weaker due to the natural effects of time