Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
Without contacts or glasses, corneal conditions and refractive errors like presbyopia can make day-to-day tasks more challenging.
Although LASIK can correct these issues, many patients are intimidated by the laser or blade used during vision correction.
Is there a laser and incision-free option?
Conductive Keratoplasty Can Improve Your Vision Without Removing Tissue
Cost-Effective
Compared to other refractive correction treatments including PRK and LASIK, conductive keratoplasty is a good alternative for patients on a budget.
Minimally Invasive
Conductive keratoplasty uses low energy radio waves to reshape the cornea without removing any tissue. It does not involve a scalpel or laser and can usually be completed in under five minutes.
Entirely Customizable
The uses for conductive keratoplasty are plentiful, and treatment has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to correct presbyopia, mild hyperopia, astigmatism, corneal trauma, and keratoconus. Conductive keratoplasty is also recognized as a follow-up treatment after LASIK in the case of overcorrection.
Though Eye Surgery Can Be Intimidating CK Has an Excellent Success Rate
In a study performed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, distance visual acuity and near distance acuity were improved in all three patients at their three-year follow-up. The study also concluded that no sight-threatening complications were observed during the follow-up exams.
You Should Not Experience Any Pain
This noninvasive treatment is performed in the ophthalmologist's office. Prior to beginning, your doctor will use anesthetic eye drops to numb the area. You should not experience any pain during CK, though you may feel a slight pressure on the eye.
Your Five-Minute Procedure Will Likely Consist of Five Steps:
Your doctor will apply numbing eye drops.
He or she will then imprint a pattern on your cornea with a rinse-away dye, which will be used as a guide.
Using a thin handheld probe, your doctor will apply controlled radio waves to different spots on your cornea. The radio frequency will reshape the curvature of the cornea.
Antibiotics will be applied to prevent infection.
A soft contact lens may be placed on your eye to minimize discomfort.
Ask Your Doctor About Your Options
Your doctor can assess your medical and ocular history to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment. In general, conductive keratoplasty is recommended for patients over 40 who have had no changes in their vision in the past year. If CK is not right for you, your doctor may be able to recommend an alternative such as LASIK or PRK.
In a clinical trial by the FDA, 98 percent of patients who underwent CK reported an improvement in the quality of their vision. You can join the growing number of CK patients by scheduling a consultation today.
