| When it comes to people's eyes and the problems | | | | to correct that type of vision problem. |
| they might have with their vision, most generally take | | | | When CK was first introduced, there were some |
| such issues pretty seriously and look for ways to | | | | problems reported with the stability of the vision |
| improve their eyesight whenever possible. For some | | | | corrections and instances where the cornea actually |
| people the thought of corrective eye surgery makes | | | | reverted back to it's original condition before the |
| them understandably squeamish. | | | | corrective eye surgery was done. However, in recent |
| However, in these days of highly-technological | | | | years there have been many improvements in laser |
| procedures, there are solutions to vision problems that | | | | eye surgery techniques utilized in CK, and clinical |
| are minimally invasive and which can deliver excellent | | | | studies in more recent years have shown that the |
| results. Conductive keratoplasty (CK) is one of those | | | | procedure is delivering more stable results consistently. |
| corrective eye surgery procedures. | | | | In April of 2002, the FDA of the United States |
| CK is a fairly new kind of laser eye surgery in practice | | | | approved conductive keratoplasty for use with |
| today. It utilizes a mild heat that is generated from radio | | | | patients over the age of 40 who had mild conditions of |
| waves. These waves are used to reduce the size of | | | | farsightedness. Later, in 2004, the FDA expanded its |
| the connective tissues. These tissues are a glue-like | | | | approval to include presbyopia, which is a very |
| collagen, found in the periphery of the cornea and | | | | common condition that typically effects people as they |
| which can cause vision distortions. | | | | reach middle age. Presbyopia is a natural side-effect |
| A conductive keratoplasty procedure actually | | | | of the aging process and it causes the lens of the eye |
| steepens the shape of the cornea. The result of this | | | | to stiffen, making it more difficult to focus at different |
| reshaping is that far-sighted patients who have | | | | distances at the same time. |
| presbyopia end up with improved near and distance | | | | As a result of these improvements, CK has been |
| vision. For those who only have presbyopia, their near | | | | gaining a much greater level of acceptance among |
| vision is enhanced. | | | | laser eye surgeons and potential patients are |
| CK is not considered to be an appropriate treatment if | | | | becoming more interested in this procedure. Ultimately, |
| you are nearsighted, and Lasik eye surgery would be | | | | it will still be some years before long-term data on the |
| recommended as a better procedure for people who | | | | success or failure of CK will be available, in order to |
| are either nearsighted or have an astigmatism. CK is | | | | make a comprehensive comparison between this type |
| also currently being studied for its effectiveness with | | | | of corrective eye surgery and other procedures, such |
| correcting astigmatisms, and while early indications are | | | | as Lasik vision surgery. |
| that it might be effective, it is not yet being widely used | | | | |