Procedures

Conductive Keratoplasty^SM (CK)^SM

CK -  Camp Hill and Harrisburg

Conductive Keratoplasty is a relatively new procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to shrink collagen tissue within the cornea to treat low to moderate farsightedness and presbyopia.

Using a controlled release of radiofrequency energy into the stroma (the third layer of cornea), the temperature of the corneal tissue is increased, which makes the cornea steeper and increases its focusing power.

CK makes the cornea steeper
and increases its focusing power

CK is for those who:

• want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses, reading glasses or contacts
• have difficulty with close vision
• are at least 40 years of age
• have not had a significant change in their vision for one year
• have no health issues affecting their eyes
• have not had previous vision correction surgery
• are not pregnant or nursing

What to expect on surgery day:

	Your eye will be completely numbed with powerful eye drop anesthesia

CK does not require a surgical facility. First, your eye will be completely numbed with powerful eye drop anesthesia. When your eye is completely numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure.

Then either sitting upright as if undergoing an eye exam or lying back, you'll be asked to look at the microscope light. Your eye will be marked with a series of dots. Your surgeon will touch the dots with the probe making a full circle around the outer margins of the cornea. There will be eight to 32 treatment points, depending on the amount of correction needed. As the dots are touched, heat from the radio waves shrinks the tissue, producing a clenching effect that creates a more curved cornea. Some patients elect to have only one eye treated to give them monovision.

There will be eight to 32 treatment points

Soon after the procedure, your eyes will be examined and you will go home and relax for the rest of the day. For the first couple of days, you may experience some scratchiness in your eyes, or excessive watering. This rapidly improves and medications can be taken to relieve any discomfort. Normal activities are generally resumed within a day or two. While many patients see improvement in their near vision immediately after the procedure, it usually takes a few weeks to several months for the results to be fully realized. As with other vision correction procedures, you may experience some discomfort and light sensitivity (glare or halos) for a few days following CK.

Realistic expectations:

The decision to have CK is an important one that only you can make. The goal of any refractive surgical procedure is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. However, we cannot guarantee you will have the results you desire.

CK has been approved to treat farsightedness between +.75 and +3.00 Diopters. When CK is used to correct presbyopia, it is considered an off-label use of an approved medical device.

Serious complications with CK are extremely rare. CK is a safe and effective procedure, but like any medical procedure, it does have some risks. After a thorough eye exam you and your doctor will determine if CK is an option for you. If you are a good candidate, you will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction.

CK is a safe and effective procedure, but like
any medical procedure, it does have some risks

Alternatives to CK

CK is not the only surgical procedure designed to treat presbyopia and farsightedness. To learn about other vision correction procedures go to the surgical and laser vision correction procedures section of our Web Site. If you would like to learn more about vision correction procedures from sources other than our practice, we encourage you to link to a number of Web sites we feel provide factual and up-to-date information. You may also choose to make an appointment, attend a seminar or request additional information to learn more about this exciting procedure.

For more information about CK visit: www.refractec.com (Conductive Keratoplasty and CK are registered service marks of Refractec, Inc.)

We offer a number of finance options and affordable payment plans.  It is easy to apply online and receive credit approval before you schedule an appointment.

2 Locations to Serve You:

Harrisburg Location: 4100 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 657-2020 | (800) 382-2020 | Fax: (717) 657-2071 
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West Shore Location: 4407 Carlisle Pike • Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: (717) 975-2015 | Fax: (717) 657-2071