How long does conductive keratoplasty last

Bifocals provide two prescriptions in one set of lenses: one for nearsightedness or farsightedness, and one stronger prescription for seeing close-up print or objects. A more recent development is eyeglasses with progressive addition lenses PALs that provide a smooth, unlined transition from near vision to intermediate vision to distance vision. Glasses with PALs have become quite popular, as they eliminate the use of bifocals or "granny glasses" for reading.

Contact lenses for presbyopes, called multifocal or bifocal contact lenses , are another option. They're available in both permanent and disposable forms. Bifocal silicone hydrogel contact lenses were also introduced to the market in February Monovision obtained with contact lenses is another alternative to CK.

One eye uses a contact lens with a distance prescription, and the other eye uses a contact lens with a near-vision prescription. All of these alternatives to CK have both merits and drawbacks. Your vision is unique and precious — find an ophthalmologist with DocShop to determine what treatment or vision aid is right for you.

DocShop provides individuals interested in conductive keratoplasty with a directory of ophthalmologists practicing throughout the United States. Find an ophthalmologist in your area today. Terms of Use. Find a Doctor. What Is Conductive Keratoplasty? Hyperopia Although farsightedness is often associated with older people wearing reading glasses or holding a newspaper at arm's length to be able to read the small print, young people can also be farsighted.

Presbyopia As people reach their 40s, the lens inside the eye can start to lose a significant amount of its elasticity, becoming less able to focus on near objects. A good candidate to undergo conductive keratoplasty is at least 18 years old and has: Eyes free of disease A vision prescription that has been stable for at least a year Vision within the correctable range for CK CK is most often used for people who are over 40 years old and have trouble seeing objects and print that are near less than two feet away.

On the other hand, you might not be an appropriate candidate for CK if you: Have had an autoimmune disease Are pregnant or nursing Have had an eye disease or an eye injury Take prescription medication that might affect the healing of your cornea or your vision In addition, if you are nearsighted when you develop presbyopia, it's generally thought that LASIK may be a better option for you than CK.

CK Risks and Benefits Conductive keratoplasty has allowed many people to lessen or eliminate their dependency on glasses or reading aids. These include: Visual problems such as seeing starbursts or halos around lights at nighttime, hazy vision, double vision Sensitivity to light Under- or over-correction Anisometropia: a difference in the focusing ability of one eye compared to the other Dry eye Eye irritation after the procedure Allergic reaction to the anesthetic eyedrops Each of these side effects can be temporary, and steps can be taken to eliminate or lessen them.

CK Results The procedure for conductive keratoplasty was first approved by the U. Alternatives to CK Many people choose to simply keep using reading glasses rather than undergo any type of treatment for their presbyopia. An example of a person who is not a good candidate would be one who has a pacemaker.

Electronic equipment may interfere with the CK procedure and cause complications. There may be other reasons why you could be a good or bad candidate, so it is best to discuss this procedure with your eye doctor.

Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover this procedure because it is considered elective. But most people say it is worth every penny. The Conductive Keratoplasty Process: How It Works After anesthetic drops have taken effect, a handheld probe with a special tip that emits radio waves is used to administer eight to thirty-two uniform spot treatments around the periphery of the cornea.

After the procedure, it is recommended that you: Avoid getting water into your eyes for the first week following the procedure Keep your eyes closed while bathing or showering Avoid letting sweat get into your eyes for first week Avoid rubbing your eyes for up to two weeks Avoid eye make-up for one week What Are The Benefits of Conductive Keratoplasty?

Here is a look at the benefits of CK surgery: Painless procedure Symptoms subside within twenty-four hours following procedure Does not carry same risks as laser treatments Does not require the use of a patch or badge afterwards Safe; approved by the FDA Minimally invasive Procedure takes three minutes per eye to complete Results last up to a few months Do not need glasses or contact lenses to see at arms-length distances Both eyes can be done during same visit Great alternative to other types of eye surgery Does not require cutting or removing tissue What Are The Risks and Drawbacks of Conductive Keratoplasty?

Talking to Your Eye Doctor Here are some questions to ask your eye care professional about the CK surgery: Do you perform conductive keratoplasty procedures? If not, can you refer me to someone who does? How do you feel about the CK procedure versus other types of eye surgeries? Even though you eventually will need reading glasses again after CK, you still may retain good intermediate vision, enabling you to see a computer screen and view a cell phone without glasses.

And when reading glasses are needed, these candidates still might appreciate having functional vision in the intermediate range. If you are considering NearVision CK, you first need to choose a refractive surgeon who is experienced with the procedure. Your doctor will examine your eyes thoroughly to determine if you are a good candidate.

During your consultation, an instrument called a corneal topographer will be used to create a detailed map of the curvature of your cornea.

The topographer doesn't touch your eye, and the measurement is similar to having a close-up photograph taken of your eye's surface. The corneal topography map will display the various steep and flat corneal curvatures that the surgeon must take into consideration while conducting the procedure. Conductive keratoplasty can be performed in the ophthalmologist's office. The surgeon will apply some anesthetic eye drops to your eyes and then use a small support device called a speculum to keep your eyelids open and prevent blinking.

Using a rinse-away dye, the surgeon will imprint a treatment pattern on your cornea, showing where the radio frequency energy should be applied.

A hand-held probe then is used to deliver the energy to a specific depth within the cornea at these spots. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes. If you are being treated for hyperopia, both eyes can be addressed during the same visit. In this case, the procedure involves virtually no down time. After surgery, you will be given a prescription for eye drops that help prevent infection and reduce inflammation.

Some surgeons may ask you to wear special bandage contact lenses for a few days, to minimize discomfort. You can leave the doctor's office right after conductive keratoplasty, although someone else must drive you home. You may experience a foreign body sensation when the topical anesthetic wears off about 20 to 30 minutes after the procedure , similar to the feeling of having a piece of dirt or debris in your eye.

This sensation usually subsides within 24 hours.