Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) can help restore your vision, allowing you to see clearly like you could 10 years ago. It’s an exciting new advancement in vision correction because it uses radiofrequency (RF) energy instead of a laser to treat your vision problem.

• No cutting — helps minimize side effects and speed recovery

• Convenient and safe — your doctor performs the procedure in his or her office

• Fast and easy — takes only 3 to 5 minutes and is virtually painless

How CK works

CK can change how the eye focuses light by reshaping the surface of your eye (cornea). When the shape is changed, light can be refocused on the correct part of your eye (retina). To produce this reshaping, CK uses the controlled release of RF energy to heat and shrink corneal tissue. This steepens the cornea and allows light to properly focus on the retina again.

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a surgical procedure that creates better vision by reshaping the cornea of the eye (it's outer layer), using an excimer laser and a special blade called a microkeratome. It is used to treat patients who suffer from nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and uneven corneal curvature (astigmatism).

Each of these problems is known as a refractive error-one that occurs when light entering the eye does not focus properly on the retina (the back of the eye, responsible for recording visual images and transmitting them to the brain). LASIK can reduce a person's dependence on glasses or contact lenses by surgically creating better vision.

LASIK eye surgery lasts only about 15 minutes. First, the eye is numbed with anesthetic eye drops. The surgeon then uses the microkeratome to create a thin corneal flap, which is then pulled back. The excimer laser then ablates a layer of corneal tissue, correcting the refractive error. The flap is then put back in place, where it heals without stitches. LASIK is an outpatient procedure.

After surgery, patients are given a protective eye shield to wear for the first day and night. Pain-relieving eye drops can be used for up to a week if necessary, but LASIK is known for its quick recovery time. Most patients experience good vision by the day after surgery.

Although LASIK is considered to be a safe procedure, complications can occur with any surgery. Possible complications include problems with night vision, undercorrection, overcorrection, glare and halos, problems with the corneal flap, and infection. Long-term vision loss is very rare.

To be a good candidate for LASIK, a person must not have had a lens prescription change in at least a year. He or she must be at least 18 years old and must be willing to accept the risks associated with LASIK. In addition, people with eye diseases, pregnant women, and people with thin corneas or large pupils are not good candidates. Contact us for more information about your potential candidacy for LASIK eye surgery.

Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, was the first refractive surgery to use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea for better vision. Although today it is performed less frequently than LASIK, PRK is an effective means of altering corneal curvature.

Like LASIK, PRK is an outpatient procedure that only takes about 15 minutes to complete. Unlike LASIK, in PRK the corneal flap is not created. Instead the excimer laser ablates tissues directly from the outer layer of the eye. The advantage is that there is no incision with PRK, but because there is no corneal flap to protect and cover the treated area, healing typically takes longer than with LASIK.

Recovery time is longer for PRK than for LASIK. After undergoing PRK, patients must wear a contact lens bandage or an eye patch while the eye heals. Blurry vision may persist for the first week, and best vision is usually attained after one month. Eye drops may be necessary for up to three months.

While vision loss from PRK is very rare, like any surgical procedure, complications are possible. They include poor night vision, overcorrection, undercorrection, corneal scarring, and infection.

Good candidates for PRK are at least 18 years of age and understand the risks associated with the procedure. They also must be in good health and have a stable refractive error. Contact us to learn more about PRK and whether it may be right for you!