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Screening

Conductive Keratoplasty or CK was designed specifically for people over the age of 40 and is perfect for the more risk-averse individual who has been waiting for a safe, non-laser alternative. It is typically performed on individuals whose eyes have begun losing their ability to focus on near objects. This can be the result of two different conditions.

• Farsightedness (hyperopia): When the surface of the eye (cornea) is too flat, changing the way our eyes focus light.
• Presbyopia: When the lens in the eye loses flexibility because of age. This also causes problems in the way our eyes focus light. Everybody over the age of 40 will eventually suffer from this condition.

Good candidates for CK are over the age of 40; have had great distance vision without glasses for most of their lives; and are tired of using reading glasses. At your first consultation, we will determine if you are a good candidate. If you meet the criteria, your eye will be photographed to determine its current and individual shape. This will be used to plan the procedure and measure the results.

How CK is Performed

This procedure is performed in our offices and takes only 3 to 5 minutes. CK uses radio frequency (RF) energy to reshape the contour of your eye.

A topical or "eye drop" anesthesia is applied to numb the eye and ensure a painless procedure. A circular treatment pattern is imprinted on the cornea using a rinse-away ink to guide the doctor's treatment. Using a probe thinner than a strand of human hair, radio waves are applied in a circular pattern to shrink small areas of collagen in the cornea. The circular treatment pattern acts like a belt tightening around the cornea, increasing its overall curvature to improve near vision.

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 radio waves to heat and shrink corneal tissue. This steepens the cornea and allows light to properly focus on the retina again.

Day of Surgery

Before the procedure, the only requirements are that you do not wear makeup and arrange for transportation to and from our office. The procedure itself is fast and simple, and will take just a few minutes to perform. Although the surgery is considered painless, you will be aware of a lid support, which helps to hold your eye open. The most common sensation that patients experience is a feeling of pressure on the eye.

After Surgery

After the procedure, and as with other vision correction procedures, you may experience some eye discomfort and light sensitivity for a few days. Many patients complain of a foreign-object sensation or a slight "scratchiness" in the eye. This usually subsides within 48 hours of the procedure.

Certain precautions should be taken after CK.

• Avoid getting contaminated water in your eyes for at least one week. This includes water from swimming pools, spas, lakes and the ocean.
• When showering or taking baths, you should keep your eyes closed to avoid getting soap in them.
• Eye makeup should not be used for a few days after surgery.

NOTE:
CK may not be a good option for people who have had significant changes in their vision over the past year; people with chronic eye disorders; women who are pregnant or nursing; or people with chronic illness or disease.