CK for Hyperopia

This rather strange looking sub-head actually stands for conductive keratoplasty to treat far-sightedness (hyperopia). CK is a fairly new kind of refractive surgery that uses mild heat from radio waves to shrink the glue-like connective tissue (collagen) in the periphery of the cornea. CK is used to treat people with mild hyperopia or presbyopia (so-called ‘short-arm vision’ experienced by virtually all people in middle-age). This procedure does not treat myopia (near-sightedness) but studies are being conducted regarding the treatment of astigmatism (corneal irregularities) through CK.

With improved technology and surgical technique, CK is being more widely used; more long-term studies will determine if CK results equal results of other laser refractive surgeries such as LASIK or PRK. CK technology belongs exclusively to Refractec Inc., of Irvine, California, which markets the system under the trade name of Refractec ViewPoint CK. Cost of CK vision correction per eye in June 2009 is estimated between $1,500 and $2,000.

FDA Approval of Conductive Keratoplasty

Conductive keratoplasty received FDA approval in 2002 for the treatment of mild far-sightedness in people forty years or older. In 2004, the FDA approved CK for presbyopia. The interesting difference between these two procedures is that in treating hyperopia, both eyes receive the treatment while in presbyopia, only one is treated. This allows the treated eye to see better at near distances while the untreated eye sees middle and distant objects more clearly. This is known as ‘monovision’.

Who Are Candidates for CK?

Candidates for this monovision correction are sometimes asked to wear contact lenses for near vision correction to ensure they are able to adapt. Sometimes, instead, the eye surgeon might hold a +1.00 lens for near vision correction in front of the non-dominant eye to see if the person experiences significant distance blur at a distance with both eyes open. People who do not have blurry distance vision under these circumstances are often good candidates for CK. To qualify for CK correction of farsightedness, you must be 40 or older and have between +0.75 and +3.25 diopters of refractive error, with no more than 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. Also, your glasses or contact lens prescription must not have changed for at least one year.

The CK Procedure

CK uses heat from radio frequency waves to shrink collagen and change the shape of the cornea. The ophthalmologist uses a hand-piece containing a tiny, pen-shaped probe that releases the frequency over the periphery of the cornea. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. CK’s advantage in that the procedure is less likely to blur distance vision with monovision correction than with either contact lenses or laser vision correction.

Before deciding on CK, you should proceed as with other types of laser refractive surgery. That is, you will need to schedule a consultation with an experienced eye surgeon who will perform a complete eye exam and question you as to your general health. If you are a candidate for the procedure, the doctor will use an instrument called a corneal topographer that photographs your eye and creates a curvature map of the cornea. The corneal topography map will display the various steep and flat corneal curvatures that the surgeon will use during the surgery.

This procedure is performed in the ophthalmologist’s office. Numbing eye drops are used to prevent pain (you may feel some pressure) during the procedure where radio frequency waves are applied in a predetermined pattern. Following the surgery, you can go home, although someone will need to drive you. You will be prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. You may also be fitted with a non-prescription ‘bandage’ contact lens to wear for a few days.

When the numbing drops wear off, you will probably experience some discomfort (like that of a foreign body in your eye). You may also need to wear sunglasses since your eye/s may be sensitive to light. These side-effects will gradually disappear in about a week.

Who Should NOT Undergo CK

If you wear a pacemaker for regulating your heart or similar electronic equipment, you should not undergo CK due to the possibility that radio frequency waves used during the procedure will interfere with its proper function.

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