Questions About Conductive Keratoplasty
Chicago, Illinois
What is CK?
Often called NearVision CK, the name is short for Conductive Keratoplasty. CK is a refractive eye surgery that Dr. Mark Golden performs using radio waves rather than a laser. Radio wave energy shrinks collagen when applied to predetermined spots around the periphery of the cornea. The shrunken collagen effectively cinches the outer edge of the cornea, which, in turn, increases the arch of the cornea. The more pronounced arch magnifies the images as light passes through the cornea resulting in myopia, or nearsightedness in that eye which then allows the individual to have reading vision.
What does CK correct?
Dr. Golden uses CK to correct the refractive disorders of hyperopia (farsightedness) and presbyopia (aging eyes). CK is an effective treatment for people who would like to dispose of their reading glasses because it induces myopia (nearsighted vision) in one eye leaving farsighted vision in the other. This is called monovision.
One surprising and pleasant result from NearVision CK is that the treated eye actually develops multifocal vision known as blended vision. This give the individual better distance vision that would be seen from full monovision. Dr. Golden had CK performed on himself in August of 2004.
Why use CK instead of laser treatment?
Our eye doctors at Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center will do a thorough evaluation to determine whether the permanent laser treatment or temporary CK treatment is a better option for you. When they determine that CK is the preferred treatment for you, they consider factors such as:
- CK does not require any cutting, so is very safe.
- Healing is faster and recovery less imposing with CK than some other procedures.
- CK is not a permanent solution. The NearVision CK-treated corneal tissue will regress to its original shape over several years. How long that takes depends upon the amount of correction induced. All factors considered, you could expect your eyes to regress to their original shape at a rate of about 1 diopter every two years after surgery.
Laser surgery, in contrast, is irreversible because it ablates corneal tissue. Dr. Golden can use laser treatment to create the monovision effect as happens with NearVision CK for patients who would benefit most from a permanent treatment.
Results from your personal examination, health history, medications, lifestyle, job requirements, and the benefits and restrictions of other procedures are all important considerations. Dr. Golden will evaluate each of these when making the recommendation of CK for you.
How long does CK surgery and recovery take?
CK takes about three minutes for the entire procedure.
Although you can go home shortly after your procedure, you will need to have someone drive you. Your may have “fuzzy functional vision” for a few days, but it will be good enough for you to return to work and resume your usual activities by the next day. Your distance vision may fluctuate for the first few months after your CK procedure. Typically, distance vision gets better and better with full healing. Full recovery and healing can take up to six months, but most people see well without glasses in a day or two.
CK is one of the safest eye surgeries. In fact, Dr. Golden had CK himself in 2004.
If you think that CK or monovision may be right for you, please contact Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center to learn more about CK in the Chicago, Arlington Heights, and Downtown Chicago metropolitan area.
Two Locations:
Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60611 | Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
2010 S Arlington Heights Rd, Suite 121
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
