CK treatment (Conductive Keratoplasty) is a non-laser procedure that is used to treat people who need spectacles for reading vision only. The typical person who is likely to benefit from CK treatment is someone who has had perfect distance vision all their life but has started needing reading glasses as they have reached their mid-forties. Needing reading glasses as we get older is a natural age change and the name given to this is presbyopia. CK treatment is a non-surgical procedure (no tissue is removed or cut) and is not a type of laser eye treatment as often wrongly assumed
Explaining CK Treatment:
CK treatment uses radio waves (instead of laser) to reshape your peripheral cornea, which acts to increase the curvature of your eye (steepen it) resulting in improved near vision. It is typically carried out on just one eye and takes no longer than 3 minutes. Over 200,000 CK treatments have been carried out worldwide and to date, there have been no serious complications. CK treatment is typically carried out on the following people:
- People aged over 45 years old.
- People who have perfect distance vision.
- People who require spectacles for near vision only.
The CK Treatment Procedure:
- The curvature of your cornea (shape) will be measured using a corneal topographer which will result in a detailed map of the surface of your eye. The surgeon uses this information to ensure the best possible CK correction is carried out.
- Anaesthetic eye drops are applied to your eye to ensure the procedure is painless. Your non-dominant eye is normally treated and this will be assessed by your surgeon.
- The surgeon marks your peripheral cornea with rinse away ink as a guide for where your eye will be treated. The central part of your vision is not treated during CK treatment.
- Radio waves are then applied to the pre-marked peripheral cornea using the handheld CK Probe (which is thinner than a strand of hair).
- The radio waves cause the peripheral corneal tissue to shrink which has the effect of steepening your cornea which improves your near vision.
- The CK treatment is painless and typically only takes 3 minutes to complete.
After CK Treatment:
- Your surgeon will probably insert a bandage contact lens into your eye in order to protect it.
- You will be given antibiotics and anti-inflammatories by your surgeon.
- You will need to have someone with you to drive you home.
- The anaesthetic typically wears off after about 30 minutes and then you may experience a gritty feeling in your eyes. This normally subsides after 24 hours.
- After CK treatment, you will notice an immediate improvement in your near vision.
- Your vision may fluctuate a little bit for 3 – 4 weeks but this is normal.
- You should be able to work etc. the day after your CK treatment.
- It is normally recommended that you do not drive for a week or so following CK treatment whilst you get used to your new vision.
- The Ck treatment typically lasts for about 3-4 years after which time you may well need re-treatment.
Advantages of CK Treatment:
- Safer and quicker than laser eye surgery.
- Very low infection/complication risk.
- There is no weakening of the eye as the corneal tissue remains completely intact. This is not the case with laser eye surgery.
- No cutting/blades utilised during CK treatment.
