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CK®

CK® is a newly FDA-approved treatment that utilizes radio waves instead of a laser or surgical scalpel to reduce farsightedness and need for reading glasses. Ideal CK® patients are:

• Over age 40
• Farsighted and tired of reading glasses
• Having difficulty focusing on things up close

What is Conductive Keratoplasty?

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK®) can change how the eye focuses light by reshaping the cornea to treat farsightedness. It uses a controlled release of radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat and shrink corneal tissue, which steepens the cornea. This steepening creates a safe and predictable modification to the topographical (surface) curvature of the cornea for the temporary reduction of farsightedness.

What are CK'S® advantages?

• Does not create any surgical flap
• Uses a metal probe to create a ring of dots in the peripheral part of the cornea (i.e. not in the center of the vision, so it is safer)
• Treats patients over 40 years old whose main problem is farsightedness and reading difficulty. CK® will improve both distance and reading vision (through blended vision).

How does CK® work?

CK® uses a pen-shaped instrument with a cool tip as thin as a human hair. After application of a topical anesthetic (i.e., eye drops), your doctor will apply radiofrequency (RF) energy in a circular pattern. This pattern is along the periphery of the cornea and therefore minimizes interference with your line of sight. A device called a "speculum" is inserted to hold your eye open during the procedure.

CK® is considered painless. Once finished, you don't have to wear a patch and can usually return to work the next day. Vision begins improving in about a week's time.

Will the instrument used in the CK® procedure penetrate the cornea?

The small, pen-shaped instrument used to apply radiofrequency (RF) energy does penetrate, to a very specific depth, in the cornea (approximately 0.45 mm or less than 1/50 of an inch). The actual penetrating tip (Keratoplasty Tip) is as thin as a human hair. It also has a specially designed stop to eliminate the risk of penetrating the cornea too deeply.

What are the risks and side effects of CK®?

Because CK® is minimally invasive and very controlled, the procedure has very few surgical complications. The procedure does not touch the center of the cornea. During the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, you may experience tearing and some discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation in the eyes. You may also experience a slight over-correction of your vision, allowing you to see better up close, though your distance vision may be blurry. This will stabilize during the following weeks.

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