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CK |
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Frequently asked questions
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| WHAT IS CK AND HOW IS IT DONE? |
Nearvision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) uses radio
waves to reshape the cornea and bring near vision
back to focus.
CK is performed using a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair,
that releases the radio waves, The probe is
applied in a circular pattern on the outer cornea to
shrink small areas of collagen. This circular
shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (like
the tightening of a belt), increasing the curvature
of the cornea.
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| IS RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY SAFE
FOR USE ON THE EYE? |
Yes. Radio frequency (RF) is one of
today's most advanced surgical techniques. RF is
also used in back surgery, cardiovascular procedures
and prostate cancer therapy.
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| ARE BOTH EYES TREATED ON THE
SAME DAY? |
CK is usually performed on just one eye,
but for patients whose prescription requires
treatment in both eyes, CK is done on both eyes, on
the same day.
Most patients are comfortable having both eyes done on the same day
because the procedure is minimally invasive, takes
less then three minutes and is done with only
topical (eye drop) anesthesia. We also provide
a mild sedative for patients who are nervous or
anxious, to help them relax.
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WILL MY VISION IMPROVE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER NEARVISION CK? |
No. It usually takes several weeks for
the eyes to heal, and up to three months to achieve
the full, final level of treatment. However, many
patients do notice advancement in their near vision
after the CK procedure.
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WILL MY VISION FLUCTUATE AFTER
CK IS PERFORMED? |
Yes, and it is very important to have
realistic expectations. Most patients will
experience fluctuation in their vision after the
procedure and it can range from mild to very
noticeable. It can be very frustrating, but
will usually subside within a few weeks.
CK treatments usually require a longer healing period than most
procedures for nearsightedness and will not provide
"instant" results. After three to four weeks
most patients are comfortable with their vision.
By three months, patients are tremendously happy
with their outcome.
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| WILL I HAVE TO WEAR A PATCH
OVER MY EYE AFTER CK? |
No, you will not wear patches or bandages
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| HOW SOON CAN I RETURN TO WORK? |
The majority of our patients
return to work and to normal activities within 24
hours to a few days after their procedure.
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WHAT WILL I FEEL DURING THE CK
PROCEDURE? |
CK is a relatively painless procedure.
There are no needles and no stitches. We use
local anesthetic (numbing) eye drops. The most
common sensation patients experience is the feeling
of pressure on the eye. The rare person may
feel some minor discomfort or be aware of the lid
holder that keeps you from blinking.
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WILL THE INSTRUMENT USED IN
THE CK PROCEDURE PENETRATE MY CORNEA? |
CK is performed using a micro-fine
precision probe (Kerotoplast Tip) that is as thin as
a strand of human hair. These precision tips
are used only once per patient.
The probe, introduced into the cornea, applies
controlled RF energy, stabilizes the CK procedure
and guarantees the precise depth of treatment.
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WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND SIDE
EFFECTS OF CK? |
Because CK is minimally invasive and
extremely precise, the procedure has exhibited
minimal risk and almost no side effects.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after CK, you may have tearing and
discomfort, and a scratchy sensation (much like
having an eyelash in your eye). You may also
experience initial slight over correction, which
will stabilize during the weeks to follow.
CK has not been observed to have many of the side effects associated with
other vision treatment procedures. We have had
no cases of blindness resulting from CK. A
careful and thorough review of all benefits and
risks will be addressed during your consultation and
evaluation.
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AM I GUARANTEED 20/20 VISION
AFTER CK? |
No surgeon can absolutely guarantee a
certain result from any vision treatment procedure.
However, in the FDA study, nearly 87% of patients
had 20/20 vision in the distance and were able to
read phone book size print after having CK. (12
month follow-up data)
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| WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS
AFTER CK? |
As with any vision treatment procedure,
certain precautions should be taken. Patients
should not go swimming in pools, hot tubs, the ocean
or lakes for at least a week. When showering the
eyes should be closed to avoid getting soap and
dirty water in the eyes for one week. When
exercising, sweat should be kept from the eyes for
one week. Vigorous rubbing and eye makeup should be
avoided for one week.
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WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I
EXPECT AND WILL IT LAST FOREVER? |
Most patients do not need corrective
lenses of any kind after the CK procedure has
completely healed. However, depending on your age,
and the type of prescription you have, you may need
additional vision correction at some point.
(Surgery, reading glasses or bifocals)
This is because your eyes continue to change as you age, and no one can
avoid presbyopia. The results of CK will last
for 5 to 7 years, with the patient's near vision
always remaining better than the vision of someone
who never had it.
"Upgrades" are additional spots that can be placed years later to further
preserve your CK near vision.
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| WHAT WILL MY RECOVERY BE LIKE
AFTER CK? |
After the procedure, there may be some
mild discomfort, and many patients experience
scratchiness in the eye. This usually subsides
within 24 hours of the procedure. Your
recovery time will depend on how high your
prescription was, and on personal healing patterns.
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| IS CK REVERSIBLE? |
No. Like most other refractive
procedures, once CK is performed it is not possible
to remove its effect.
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| WHAT DOES THE COST OF THE
PROCEDURE COVER? |
Your fee covers your evaluation, all the
extensive pre-operative testing, your consultation
with the refractive coordinator, your consultation
with the doctor, the facility fee, the doctor's fee,
the procedure itself, all supplies used during the
procedure, all of your eye drops, medications, all
of your post-operative care for six months, and any
initial additional spots if you need them.
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| IS CK COVERED BY MY INSURANCE
PLAN? |
Not usually, however we encourage you to
contact your employer and your insurance company.
We offer vision fee plan (VFP) a flexible financing company that has
monthly payments as low as $48 a month and APR's as
low as 5.9%. Vision Fee Plan also has a 12
month - same as cash, no up front payment plan.
Click here for more information on financing.
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| WHAT WILL MY CK EVALUATION BE
LIKE? |
You will make an appointment to be seen at a
time that is convenient for you. You will meet a
technician who will begin the in-depth exam.
This information will provide the physicians with
precise and detailed information necessary for your
personalized treatment.
We will measure your corneal thickness, take a
personalized corneal map and do a dilated and
undilated refraction, measure your intra-ocular
pressure, and check your vision.
You will then have a personal consultation with the refractive
coordinator to "try CK on for size," discuss the CK
procedure in detail and have all of your questions
answered.
You will then meet with the doctor of your choice to develop a
personalized and custom plan specifically for your
eyes. This is also the opportunity to ask any
further questions you may have. You will need to
allow approximately 1 hour for this comprehensive
eye examination.
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| WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE? |
A patient of at least 45 years of age who
sees well in the distance but who is tired of
dealing with reading glasses and would like less
dependence on them. The ideal patient will have a
stable prescription for one year, good eye health,
sufficient corneal thickness and good general
health.
Non-candidates include some diabetic patients, some rheumatoid arthritis
patients, all pregnant or breast feeding mothers or
patients with sever glaucoma. Patients with
cataracts may or may not be candidates. Based
on the severity and progression. This will be
determined by your doctor.
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| CAN CK BE PERFORMED ON
PATIENTS WHO HAVE A PACEMAKER? |
The CK equipment can produce interference
that may adversely affect the operation of other
electronic equipment. Therefore, CK is
contraindicated for patients who are wearing a
pacemaker.
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| WHAT ENABLES CK TO BE DONE
IN-OFFICE?
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CK is a minimally invasive procedure that
does not carry the associated risks or surgical
complications or other eye procedures.
CK is relatively quick and easy to perform, taking an average of just
three minutes. We perform CK right here in the
comfort of our own office.
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FOUR STEPS TO CLEARER NEAR VISION!
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STEP ONE: Topical
"eye drop" anesthesia is applied to numb the eye and
insure a painless procedure.
· STEP TWO: A
circular treatment pattern is imprinted on the
cornea using rinse-away ink to guide the doctor's
treatment.
· STEP THREE:
Using a probe thinner than a human hair, radio waves
are applied in a circular pattern, causing small
areas of collagen in the cornea to constrict.
· STEP FOUR: The
circular pattern acts like a belt tightening around
the cornea, increasing its curvature and improving
near vision.
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