Conductive Keratoplasty

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) can improve your near vision allowing you to see clearly like you could 10 years ago

It seems to happen overnight. You suddenly can’t read a menu see your alarm clock or review the scores on your golf card. Rest assured you’re not alone. Millions of baby boomers like you are losing their near vision as part of the natural aging process.

Why The Loss of Near Vision With Age?

When we turn 40 our eyes begin losing their ability to easily focus on near objects. This can be the result of two different conditions:

• Presbyopia: when the lens in the eye loses flexibility because of age. This causes problems in the way our eyes focus light. Most people over age 40 and everyone over age 50 suffer from this condition.

• Farsightedness (hyperopia): when the surface of the eye (cornea) is too flat changing the way our eye focuses light. Young eyes are often strong enough to compensate which is why it may only be a problem after age 40.

Turn Back The Clock On Your Vision

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) can improve your near vision allowing you to see clearly like you could 10 years ago. It’s an exciting advancement in vision correction because it is a simple painless procedure that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy instead of a laser.

• No cutting — Helps minimize side effects and speed recovery
• Convenient — Your doctor performs the procedure in his or her office
• Safe — The only FDA-approved technology used to improve near vision in those over 40
• Fast and easy — Takes only 3 to 5 minutes and is virtually painless

How CK Works

CK can change how the eye focuses light by reshaping the surface of your eye (cornea). When the shape is changed light can be refocused on the correct part of your eye (retina). To produce this reshaping CK uses the controlled release of RF energy to heat and shrink corneal tissue. This steepens the cornea and allows light to properly focus on the retina again improving near vision.

Is CK Right For You?

CK is intended for people over 40 years of age who want to improve their near vision. If you are over the age of 40 had great vision your whole life and now struggle with reading glasses you may be a candidate for CK. Other criteria include:

• No significant changes in your vision for 1 year
• No chronic eye disorders
• Not pregnant or nursing
• No chronic illness or disease

What To Expect During The CK Procedure

Once your doctor has determined that you are a candidate for CK your cornea will be mapped to determine its current and individual shape. This will be used to plan the procedure and measure results. Before the procedure the only requirements are to not wear contact lenses up to three weeks prior to surgery and on the day of surgery do not wear makeup. You will also need to arrange transportation to and from your doctor’s office. The procedure itself is fast simple and painless:

• Numbing (anesthetic) eye drops are applied
• Treatment pattern is imprinted with rinse-away dye
• A hair-thin probe is used to apply RF energy in a circular pattern to shrink the corneal tissue.

This pattern is applied in the periphery of your cornea and therefore minimizes interference with your line of vision (i.e.pupil). A device called a "speculum" holds your eye open during the procedure.

After the procedure you may elect to wear dark glasses. There is generally no need to wear a patch. As with other vision procedures you will probably experience some discomfort and light sensitivity for a few days. Vision generally begins improving in about a week s time. As with other procedures the level of improved vision may be temporary. While CK can turn back the clock on your vision it cannot stop the clock entirely.

Risks and Complications

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 relatively rare they should be taken into consideration by anyone considering the CK procedure. Some side effects include:

• Discomfort and/or foreign body sensation
• Glare
• Halos
• Overcorrection
• Tearing

Your doctor will determine your specific vision problem and whether

CK is right for you. With this knowledge in hand you can better evaluate your options.