Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) Surgery

With CK we will be able to turn back the hands of time but we cannot stop the clock from ticking. We will be able to take you back to the time where you just started relying on glasses for reading a menu in dim lighting and up close work. As you age, so do your eyes. The effect of CK is not permanent because as we age our vision continues to weaken.

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

Yes, CK can TEMPORARILY reduce presbyopia. If you have presbyopia, Eileen Conti, M.D. may recommend, blended vision with CK. Like monovision, where one eye is treated for near vision, leaving the untreated eye for distance vision, blended vision improves your ability to focus on near objects without sacrificing distance vision in the untreated eye. This makes it easier for you to adjust to the two separate images. If you have not tolerated monovision treatments in the past, blended vision may be a better choice. 

Because CK is minimally invasive and very controlled, the procedure has very few surgical complications. During the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, you may experience tearing and some discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation in the eyes. You may also experience a slight over-correction of your vision, allowing you to see better up close, though your distance vision may be blurry. This will stabilize during the following weeks.

The vast majority of patients do not need corrective lenses of any kind for a year to three years after the CK procedure. However, you will need additional vision correction (surgery, reading glasses, or bifocals)by a few years after CK. This is because your eyes continue to change as you age.

Most patients will experience mild fluctuation in their vision after surgery. Any fluctuation will usually subside within a few weeks.

As with most vision correction procedures, CK is not reversible. Once the procedure has been performed, it is not possible to reverse the effects of the procedure. This is an important factor that anyone thinking about surgery should carefully consider. To make sure CK is right for you, make sure you discuss your vision needs with Eileen Conti, M.D. 

With CK, the majority of patients are able to return to work and other normal activities 1-3 days after their procedure. Although recovery is fairly quick, it is advisable to be careful with your eyes and avoid any strain. Those whose jobs demand intense clarity of vision (such as dentistry, surgery, or computer work) may find their work more difficult to perform for several days after having the procedure.

Dr. Conti charges $1000/eye for the initial CK treatment. Any retreatments done 6 or more months after the initial treatment are $800/eye. Of course, there are financing plans available, including 0% financing if you pay back over 3, 6, or 12or 18 months.