Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

Refractive Surgery

If you are tired of reading glasses, CK may be the answer!

For patients who are farsighted or whose eyes are affected by presbyopia (age related focusing difficulties), conductive keratoplasty (CK) surgery is a less invasive vision correction alternative than procedures such as LASIK and Premium IOLs.

For more information about CK eye surgery, please contact The Eye Associates for an informative appointment.

CK Benefits At-A-Glance

  • CK is fast: The procedure is performed in just under three minutes.
  • CK is convenient and comfortable: The procedure is performed in-office with only topical eye drop anesthesia.
  • CK is safe: CK has one of the highest safety profiles in vision correction.
  • CK uses radio frequency energy, instead of a laser or scalpel, to reshape the cornea and bring Baby Boomers’ lives back into focus.
  • CK was FDA approved in April of 2002.
  • CK is an ideal choice for people over 40 that want to reduce dependence on reading glasses in day-to-day activities.

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Presbyopia

It seems to happen overnight. One day you can read your score on your golf score card and suddenly the next day you can’t. Rest assured that you are not alone. Millions of Baby Boomers are experiencing the same thing and hating it. The condition is called presbyopia and is a natural result of aging. It affects most people over the age of 40, and literally everyone by the age of 51. As the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible, you lose your natural ability to bring near objects into focus. We often hear people over 40 saying, “My arms aren’t long enough to read the newspaper anymore.” Of course, you could wear reading glasses or ‘cheaters’ but many Baby Boomers view reading glasses as an unwelcome sign of aging.

Common Complaints heard from Presbyopes

  • Trouble changing focus from distance to near
  • Difficulty reading menus
  • Eye fatigue when reading in poor lighting or at the end of the day
  • Difficulty seeing a computer screen
  • Difficulty reading your watch
  • Constantly reposition reading material to find the right focus
  • Difficulty seeing caller ID

Now, thanks to CK, an FDA-approved vision procedure, we can turn the clock back on your vision and help bring your life back into focus again!

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What is CK?

Conductive Keratoplasty, or CK for short, is a revolutionary vision enhancement treatment that uses one of today’s most advanced surgical technologies, controlled radio frequency (RF) energy instead of a laser or scalpel, to reshape the eye to improve your near vision and reduce your dependence on reading glasses.

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CK - The Procedure

With CK, a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair, releases radio frequency (RF) energy in a circular pattern on the cornea. This circular shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (like the tightening of a belt), increasing the overall curvature of the cornea. This steepens the cornea and allows light to properly focus on the retina again, improving near vision. The procedure takes three to five minutes and is done in-office with only topical eye drop anesthesia.

More than 20 years of research have gone into developing this technique and making CK one of the highest safety profiles in vision correction. Because it does not involve the cutting or removal of tissue, it meets the needs of patients who are more risk-adverse and desire a procedure that is minimally invasive.

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CK Results

Clinical studies show that:

  • 97 percent of patients have distant vision of 20/20 and are able to read newspaper-size print.
  • 96 percent of patients reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the outcome.

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Could I be a Candidate for CK?

  • Are you over 45?
  • Have you had great vision until now?
  • Are your eyes free of chronic eye disorders such as glaucoma, severe dryness, keratoconus, herpes of the eye, and corneal dystrophy?
  • Do you hate your reading glasses?

If you answered "yes" to the above questions, then you may be able to benefit from CK! Call 941-798-2020 for a CK evaluation or click here to schedule an appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions About CK

Is radio frequency (RF) energy safe for use on the eye?

Yes. The use of RF energy is one of today’s most advanced surgical techniques. In addition to its use in CK, RF technology is being used in other medical procedures such as prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, and even cardiovascular procedures.

Will my vision improve immediately after surgery?

Patients usually notice an immediate improvement in their vision after the CK procedure. However, it usually takes several weeks for the eyes to adjust to the final level of treatment.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

For patients who require treatment in both eyes, CK is typically performed on both eyes on the same day — one eye immediately after the other.

How soon can I return to work?

The majority of CK patients are able to return to work and other normal activities the day after the procedure. An exception might be someone with a job that demands intense clarity of vision, such as dentistry, surgery or computer work. They may want to give their eyes some extra rest for several days following the procedure before getting back to work.

What will I feel during the CK procedure?

The CK procedure is considered painless. You will be aware of a support (speculum), which helps to hold your eye open. The most common sensation that patients experience is a feeling of pressure on the eye. After surgery, there may be some mild discomfort, and many patients experience a foreign-object sensation or a slight "scratchiness" in the eye. This usually subsides within 24 hours of the procedure.

What type of anesthesia is used during the CK procedure?

A local anesthetic in the form of eye drops is used to numb the eye. Those patients who are nervous or have a high level of anxiety will be given a mild sedative to help them relax.

What are the risks and side effects of Conductive Keratoplasty?

Because CK is minimally invasive and extremely precise, the procedure has exhibited minimal risk and almost no side effects. During the first 24 to 48 hours after CK, you may experience tearing and some discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation in the eyes. You may also experience initial slight over-correction of your vision, which stabilizes during the following weeks. However, because CK does not cut or remove tissue, many of the side effects associated with other vision treatment procedures have not been observed with CK.

Are there restrictions after having CK?

As with any vision treatment procedure where the cornea is altered, certain precautions should be taken. After the CK procedure, patients should avoid getting contaminated water in their eyes for at least one week. This includes water from swimming pools, spas, lakes and the ocean. When showering or taking baths, patients should keep their eyes closed in order to avoid getting soap and dirty water into their eyes. When exercising, sweat should be kept out of the eyes for at least a week after surgery. In addition, patients should avoid rubbing the eyes vigorously for two weeks following the procedure. Females should also avoid applying eye makeup for one week after surgery.

Am I guaranteed 20/20 vision following CK?

No honest surgeon can absolutely guarantee a certain result from any vision treatment procedure. At this time, nearly 95 percent of patients achieve normal or near-normal vision after CK.

Will I ever need glasses, contacts or any other treatments again?

Just as you do not stop aging, nor do your eyes. As you age and as your eyes continue to change, you may need other treatments, or need to wear glasses or contacts in the future.

Will my health insurance cover the cost of the CK procedure?

Because CK is considered elective surgery, most health insurance plans do not cover it. At The Eye Associates, we want to make sure that everyone that desires this remarkable procedure is able to afford it so we offer easy and affordable financing options through CareCredit®. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

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If you are interested in learning more about CK, click here to view a video clip, or contact The Eye Associates via email today.