CK

(Conductive Keratoplasty)

CK is the first FDA Approved non-laser vision procedure designed for Baby Boomers who are  having trouble reading newspapers, items on a menu, or working on a computer.

• CK is a minimally invasive procedure with excellent safety.
   
• CK is fast: The procedure is performed in under three minutes.
   
• CK is convenient and comfortable.  It is performed in-office with only topical (eye drop) anesthesia.
   
• With CK, there is no cutting and no removal of tissue, so it meets the needs of the risk-averse patient who's been waiting for a safe, less invasive vision correction procedure.
   
• CK is the first alternative to laser for Baby Boomers who struggle with glasses. Research has shown that the application of heat energy to the cornea can cause a shrinking of the corneal tissue (thermokeratoplasty).  This shrinkage can treat vision problems by steepening the surface of the cornea. CK builds upon the principles of thermokeratoplasty, using radiofrequency (RF) energy to reshape the cornea and adjust its refractive characteristics.  More than 20 years of research into this technique have established the depth and energy necessary to achieve refractive change.
   
• CK is relatively simple to perform. Once the ophthalmologist has determined the patient to be a candidate for CK, the patient's cornea will be mapped with a computer to evaluate its curvature. After applying drops to numb the eye and ensure the procedure is painless, the doctor imprints a treatment pattern on the cornea using rinse-away dye. The pattern guides the doctor's treatment; each point represents a place where radiofrequency (RF) energy will be applied. The physician uses a pen-shaped handpiece which holds  a small probe (Keratoplasty Tip) , thinner than a strand of human hair, which releases (RF) energy directly to the internal corneal tissue. The probe is applied in a circular pattern on the outer cornea to shrink small areas of corneal tissue. This circular shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (like the tightening of a belt), increasing the overall curvature of the cornea. The most common sensation that patients experience is a feeling of pressure on the eye.  The procedure, which takes less than three minutes, is done in-office with only topical anesthesia (eye drops).
   
• After CK the doctor will apply antibiotic drops that the patient will continue using for three days, as per FDA  labeling. The patient may need to wear dark glasses after the CK treatment and use artificial tears for up to one week,  As with other vision procedures, there may be some mild discomfort and light sensitivity for a short period, and some patients experience a foreign-object sensation or a slight "scratchiness" in the eye. This usually subsides with 24 hours of the procedure.
   
• Radiofrequency (RF) technology is one of today's most advanced medical therapies.  In addition to its use in CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, even cardiovascular procedures.
   
• Following are the basic criteria in order to be considered a candidate for CK:
  • Age 40 and over.
  • No drastic changes in vision or eye glass prescription with the past year.
  • No eye conditions such as glaucoma, severe dryness, keratoconus, herpes of the eye, aggressive keloid formation or corneal dystrophy.
  • No physical conditions such as insulin dependent diabetes, pregnancy or nursing, and vascular or autoimmune diseases.
  
  Those interested in CK should seek the recommendation of a Certified CK eye surgeon.
  Have Questions? Check our Frequently Asked Questions page

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