Laser eye surgery from ADVANCE VISIONCARE

FAQ

Useful Information

Who is suitable?

You're likely to be a good candidate for Conductive Keratoplasty, CK, if you:

• Are over age 40
• Have had great vision throughout your life
• Require reading glasses to compensate for fading near vision

Will my vision improve immediately after the CK procedure?

Patients usually notice an immediate improvement in their vision after the procedure. However, it usually takes several weeks for the eyes to fully adjust to the final level of treatment.

Will my vision fluctuate after the CK procedure is performed?

Most patients experience mild fluctuation in their vision after the procedure but few notice it. Any fluctuation will usually subside within a few weeks.

Patients who have a procedure to steepen the cornea (presbyopia or hyperopia), regardless of the procedure, usually require a longer stabilization period than those who receive a treatment that flattens the cornea (myopia).

Can you have CK after Laser Eye Correction?

Yes you can. You would normally need to leave a period of at least 6-9 months between the laser correction and CK.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

CK is typically performed on just one eye. However, if a patient's prescription requires treatment in both eyes, CK is performed on both eyes on the same day - one eye immediately after the other.

Most patients are comfortable having the procedure performed on both eyes on the same day because the procedure is minimally invasive and takes less than three minutes per eye.

How soon can I return to work?

With CK, the majority of patients are able to return to work and other normal activities the day after their procedure. Although recovery is fairly quick, it is advisable to be careful with your eyes and to avoid any strain.

Those whose jobs demand intense clarity of vision (such as dentistry, surgery or computer work) may want to give their eyes some extra rest for several days following the procedure before going back to work.

What will I feel during the CK procedure?

Patients experience no discomfort during the procedure although you will be aware of a support (speculum), which helps to hold your eye open.

The most common sensation that patients experience is a feeling of gentle pressure on the eye.

After the procedure, there may be a little mild discomfort, and some patients experience scratchiness in the eye, which usually subsides within 24-48 hours.

What are the risks and side effects of CK?

Because CK is minimally invasive, the procedure has very minimal risk and almost no side effects. You may experience initial slight over-correction of your vision, which stabilizes during the following weeks.

However, because CK doesn't cut or remove tissue, many of the side effects associated with other vision treatments have not been observed with CK.

There has not been a single major complication reported.

Are there restrictions after having CK?

Yes, certain precautions should be taken. After the CK procedure, patients should avoid getting contaminated water in their eyes for at least one week - water from swimming pools, spas, lakes and the ocean.

Avoid getting soap and dirty water or sweat into your eyes, and resist rubbing your eyes vigorously for two weeks following the procedure.

Avoid applying eye makeup for one week after the procedure

Am I guaranteed 20/20 vision following CK?

No. And no honest consultant can absolutely guarantee a certain result from any vision treatment procedure. However, in the FDA clinical study, nearly 87% of patients had 20/20 vision while looking at objects in the distance and were able to read phonebook-size print after having CK (12-month follow-up data).

Will I ever need glasses or contacts again?

The vast majority of patients do not need corrective lenses for most tasks after the CK procedure. However, depending on your age and the type of refractive disorder you have, you may need additional vision treatment at some point (reading glasses or bifocals or CK retreatment). This is because your eyes continue to change as you age. In most cases it is possible to have a 'top-up' treatment with CK.

Is CK reversible?

As with most vision treatment procedures, it is not reversible. Once the procedure has been performed, it is not possible to 'remove' its effects. This is an important factor for anyone considering this vision treatment procedure.

Can CK treat myopia (short-sightedness)?

CK was designed for people who struggle to read menus, price tags or see their computer - symptoms of fading near vision which require a steepening of the cornea.

CK is not designed to flatten the cornea, the effect required for the treatment of myopia. Laser eye correction can correct myopia.

Can CK be performed on patients who have a pacemaker?

The CK equipment can produce interference that may adversely influence the operation of other electronic equipment. Therefore, Advance VisionCare cannot treat a patient who is wearing a pacemaker.

Will you be cutting the cornea?

No. CK treatment is performed without the cutting or removal of tissue.

Is radiofrequency (RF) energy safe for use on the eye?

Yes. The use of RF energy is one of today's most advanced surgical techniques. In addition to its use in CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, even cardiovascular procedures.