CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) is a non-laser procedure developed specifically for baby boomers who have had clear vision all their life, but now struggle to see with reading glasses. It may also be used for patients who are moderately farsighted.
CK is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that involves no cutting of the cornea. It is an ideal procedure for people over 40, for whom safety is often the most important factor in their decision to undergo a vision correction procedure.
The procedure works like this:
Using radiofrequency energy, CK changes how the eye focuses light by reshaping the cornea to make it steeper. After the doctor has applied a topical anesthetic , controlled radiofrequency energy is applied in a circular pattern to shrink the corneal tissue. This pattern is applied in the periphery of the cornea to minimize interference with the line of sight. An instument called a speculum holds your eye open during the procedure.
Once finished, a patient can usually return to work or normal activities the next day. Vision generally begins improving in about a week. As with other procedures, the level of improved vision may be temporary.
CK can also help patients with farsightedness, a condition in which the eye is too flat. CK modifies the surface curvature of the eye, making it steeper and therefore improving vision.
CK is associated with a nominal amount of surgery-related complications. Some people who have had CK have experienced side effects that have impaired their vision for a few days after the procedure. Although these risks are rare, they should be taken into consideration by anyone considering this procedure. Some side effects include:
Discomfort and/or foreign body sensation
Glare
Halos
Overcorrection
Tearing
