NearVisionSM CK ® (Conductive Keratoplasty ®)
Questions and Answers
NearVision SM CK ® (Conductive Keratoplasty ®)
Frequently Asked Questions
How is NearVision CK performed?
NearVision CK uses radio waves, instead of a laser or scalpel, to reshape the cornea and bring near vision back into focus. NearVision CK is performed using a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair, that releases 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 overall curvature of the cornea. The procedure, which takes less than three minutes, is done in-office with only topical anesthesia (eye drops).
Will you be cutting the cornea?
No. NearVision CK is performed without the cutting or removal of tissue. It is a safe, minimally invasive procedure for baby boomers who struggle to read a newspaper, menu, alarm clock, or computer.
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 NearVision CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, even cardiovascular procedures.
Will my vision improve immediately after the NearVision CK procedure?
Patients usually notice an immediate improvement in their vision after the NearVision CK procedure. However, it usually takes several weeks for the eyes to adjust to the final level of treatment.
Will my vision fluctuate after NearVision CK is performed?
Most patients will 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).
Are both eyes treated on the same day?
NearVision CK is typically performed on just one eye. However, if a patient’s prescription requires treatment in both eyes, CK is typically performed on both eyes on the same day — one eye immediately after the other. Most patients are comfortable having the CK procedure performed on both eyes on the same day because the procedure is minimally invasive, takes less than three minutes and is done in-office with only topical anesthesia.
Will I have to wear patches over my eyes after the NearVision CK procedure?
You will not have to wear patches or bandages.
How soon can I return to work?
With NearVision 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 type of anesthesia is used during the NearVision CK procedure?
A local anesthetic in the form of eye drops is used to numb the eye. Those patients who are nervous or have a high level of anxiety will be given a mild sedative to help them relax.
What will I feel during the NearVision CK procedure?
The NearVision CK procedure is considered painless. 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 pressure on the eye. After the procedure, there may be some mild discomfort, and many patients experience a foreign-object sensation or "scratchiness" in the eye. This usually subsides within 24 hours of the procedure.
Why doesn't NearVision CK use a laser?
NearVision CK is a non-laser procedure that uses controlled radio waves to improve near vision. Rather than removing tissue with a laser, NearVision CK reshapes the cornea using an entirely different method: the application of low-level, radiofrequency (RF) energy applied in a circular pattern on the outer cornea, to shrink small areas of corneal tissue. This circular pattern acts like a belt tightening around the cornea to increase its overall curvature and bring life’s details back into focus. The procedure, which takes less than three minutes, is done in-office with only topical anesthesia (eye drops).
Will the instrument used in the NearVision CK procedure penetrate my cornea?
NearVision CK is performed using a probe (Keratoplast™ Tip) that is as thin as a strand of human hair. The probe, introduced into the cornea, applies controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy, stabilizes the CK procedure and guarantees the precise depth of treatment.
How is a precise amount of RF energy and depth of treatment ensured during the NearVision CK procedure?
The technology used during the procedure was engineered and designed specifically for performing NearVision CK. This means that the precise amount of RF energy needed to affect the corneal tissue, at the precise tissue temperature and depth of treatment, were meticulously investigated and defined. The Keratoplast™ Tip penetrates the cornea to a depth of 450 µm and utilizes a plastic stop at the very distal portion to assure precise depth of penetration.
What are the risks and side effects of NearVision CK?
Because NearVision CK is minimally invasive, the procedure has exhibited very minimal risk and almost no side effects. During the first 24 to 48 hours after NearVision CK, you may experience tearing and some discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation in the eyes. You may also experience initial slight over-correction of your vision, which stabilizes during the following weeks. However, because NearVision CK doesn’t cut or remove tissue, many of the side effects associated with other vision treatment procedures have not been observed with NearVision CK.
Are there restrictions after having NearVision CK?
As with any vision treatment procedure where the cornea is altered, certain precautions should be taken. After the NearVision CK procedure, patients should avoid getting contaminated water in their eyes for at least one week. This includes water from swimming pools, spas, lakes and the ocean. When showering or taking baths, patients should keep their eyes closed in order to avoid getting soap and dirty water into their eyes. When exercising, sweat should be kept out of the eyes for at least a week after the procedure. Also, patients should avoid rubbing their eyes vigorously for two weeks following the procedure. Females should also avoid applying eye makeup for one week after the procedure.
Am I guaranteed 20/20 vision following NearVision CK?
No. And no honest doctor 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 (J3) after having NearVision CK (12-month follow-up data).
Is NearVision CK reversible?
As with most vision correction procedures, NearVision CK is not reversible. Once the procedure has been performed, it is not possible to "remove" its effects. This is an important factor for anyone thinking about undergoing a vision correction procedure to carefully consider. To make sure NearVision CK is right for you, seek the advice of your doctor.
Will my health insurance cover the cost of the NearVision CK procedure?
Because NearVision CK is considered elective surgery (cosmetic) health insurance plans do not cover it.
Who is NearVision CK right for?
You’re likely a good candidate for NearVision CK if you:
Are over age 40
Had great vision your whole life
Require reading glasses to compensate for fading near vision
To determine if NearVision CK is right for you, visit an ophthalmologist to discuss the complete list of indications and contraindications.
Can NearVision CK treat myopia (nearsightedness)?
NearVision CK was designed for baby boomers who struggle to read menus, price tags or see their computer — symptoms of fading near vision which require a steepening of the cornea. NearVision CK is not designed to flatten the cornea, the effect required for the treatment of myopia.
Can NearVision CK be performed on patients who have a pacemaker?
The NearVision CK equipment can produce interference that may adversely influence the operation of other electronic equipment. Therefore, NearVision CK is contraindicated for patients who are wearing a pacemaker.
What enables NearVision CK to be performed in-office?
Near Vision CK is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require cutting of the cornea, and therefore does not carry the associated risks or surgical complications. The procedure is relatively quick and easy to perform — taking an average of just 3 minutes.
NearVision CK is the first vision treatment specifically for people who want freedom from their reading glasses. CK is performed using the ViewPoint® CK System; the first FDA-approved technology for improving near vision in presbyopic patients.
Conductive Keratoplasty:
Research has discovered that the application of heat energy to the cornea can cause a shrinking of the corneal tissue (thermokeratoplasty). When applied in a specific pattern, this shrinkage can restore vision by steepening the cornea. CK builds upon the principles of thermokeratoplasty, using radiofrequency (RF) energy to reshape the cornea and adjust its refractive characteristics. More than 20 years of research into this technique have established the depth and temperature necessary to achieve refractive change.
Performing CK
CK is relatively simple to perform. The physician uses a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair, which releases RF energy. 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. The procedure, which takes less than three minutes, is done in-office with only topical anesthesia (eye drops).
From the Patient’s Perspective
Before CK:
Once the ophthalmologist has determined the patient is a candidate for CK, the patient’s cornea will be mapped with a computer to evaluate its curvature (refractive characteristics).
During CK:
After applying drops to numb the eye to ensure the procedure is painless, the doctor imprints a treatment pattern on the cornea using rinse-away dye. The pattern guides the doctor’s treatment; each point represents a place where RF energy will be applied.
Once the cornea is marked, the doctor uses a small probe to apply radio waves in a circular pattern to reshape the cornea. The most common sensation that patients experience is a feeling of pressure on the eye.
After CK:
The doctor applies antibiotic drops that the patient will continue using for several days, as per labeling. The patient may need to wear dark glasses after the CK treatment and use artificial tears for up to one week. As with other vision procedures, there may be some mild discomfort and light sensitivity for a few days, and many patients experience a foreign-object sensation or a slight "scratchiness" in the eye. This usually subsides within 24 hours of the treatment.
CK Patient Profile
You may be a candidate for CK if you are:
Over age 45
Had great distance vision your whole life
Struggle with reading glasses for near vision.
This is not a complete list of indications and contraindications. To determine if CK is right for you, visit an ophthalmologist and ask him or her for the full list.
RF Energy & Its Application
Radiofrequency (RF) technology is one of todays most advanced medical therapies. In addition to its use in CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, dermatology – even cardiovascular procedures.
By applying RF energy to the corneal tissue, Ohm's law (V = I R) defines a consistent relationship that determines the heat generated. The characteristics of the energy and the collagen tissue's consistent conductive properties make it possible for CK to achieve a reproducible, optimal tissue temperature to bring about the localized shrinkage of the collagen fibers.
2006 KEY MESSAGE POINTS
ABOUT NEARVISION CK:
Near Vision = the ability to see things up-close.
Presbyopia = the inevitable loss of near vision that affects everyone sometime after age 40.
NearVision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) is performed using the one of the safest, and the first FDA-approved technology for patients with “aging eyes” (presbyopia), the inevitable loss of near vision that affects everyone sometime after age 40.
NearVision CK can ONLY be performed using the ViewPoint® CK System.
NearVision CK is the only vision treatment specifically for people over age 45 who want freedom from their reading glasses.
NearVision CK uses gentle radio waves, instead of a laser or scalpel, to bring near vision back into focus.
NearVision CK is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. There is no cutting and no removal of tissue.
NearVision CK boasts one of the highest safety profiles in the vision correction procedure market.
NearVision CK is fast: The treatment is performed in just under three minutes.
NearVision CK is easy to perform. The treatment is done in the doctor’s office with only topical (eye drop) anesthesia.
NearVision CK has become the fastest-growing vision treatment since the introduction of LASIK and is the leading non-laser refractive procedure
You’re a candidate for NearVision CK if you’re over age 45, had great distance vision your whole life and now struggle with reading glasses
NearVision CK is indicated for the temporary improvement of near vision in emmetropic presbyopes (those who require only reading glasses) and hyperopic presbyopes (those who require reading and distance glasses).
NearVision CK turns back the clock, but doesn’t stop it from ticking. Presbyopia is a progressive condition and therefore, patients may require additional treatments to maintain their near vision.
How NEARVISION CK Works:
Short Version: NearVision CK is performed using a fine tip thinner than a strand of hair that releases radio waves, shrinking small areas of collagen to increase the curvature of the cornea and restore near vision.
Full Explanation: Using a fine tip thinner than a strand of human hair, CK applies radio waves in a circular pattern on the outer cornea to shrink small areas of collagen. This shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (like the tightening of a belt), increasing the overall curvature of the cornea to bring near vision back into focus for Baby Boomers who are now presbyopic.
Radiofrequency energy is one of today’s most advanced surgical technologies. In addition to its use in CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, even cardiovascular procedures.
VISION PROBLEMS AFTER THE AGE OF 40
Presbyopia (aging eyes) is a progressive condition that causes near vision to fade with age. Nearly 90 million Americans are over age 40 -- the dawning of “aging eyes” (presbyopia). These people find it increasingly difficult to read, do hobby work or even see the time on a watch, without the aid of magnifying reading glasses. More than half could benefit from NearVision CK.
For the risk-averse, NearVision CK is the treatment of choice. When consumers over age 40 were asked if they would consider an elective procedure to reduce their dependence on glasses, a full 42 percent ranked CK their number-one choice, citing its non-invasive method and safety as the primary reasons for their preference. Prior to CK, very few people between the ages of 40 to 60 have even considered vision treatment surgery, as they tend to be more conservative and risk-averse than their younger counterparts who flocked to LASIK.
Since their vision began to deteriorate later in life, many view reading glasses as an unwelcome sign of aging.
NearVision CK doesn’t stop the clock from ticking, but it can turn back the hands so people can see near, again.
It is estimated the 1.5 million patients have a history LASIK procedures in an effort to rid themselves of the glasses correcting the vision problems of their youth. Having made this investment early on in their vision, these patients face the frustrating reality of a return to glasses with the onset of presbyopia. With promising preliminary results, clinical work is underway on the use of NearVision CK to treat near vision loss in patients over the age of 45 with a history of LASIK.
NEARVISION CK RESULTS:
High patient satisfaction: 79 percent satisfied or very satisfied with their vision 24 months after the NearVision CK treatment.
Excellent quality of vision: 87 percent noted moderate, marked or extreme improvement in their quality of vision 24 months after CK.
There were no reported serious, sight-threatening or unanticipated safety events.
