This is an exciting, new and safe treatment for longsight (up to around +3.00 dioptres) and correcting reading vision. New research shows that it may also be effective for treating astigmatism, even that which remains after LASEK or LASIK, allowing us to fine-tune for even better vision.

Approximately 150 centres are now offering CK across the US. Horizon Eye Centres and affiliated centres are the only clinics currently being able to offer this breakthrough new treatment in the UK. 

CK uses a high-tech probe to produce a brief pulse of radio waves applied to the peripheral cornea. This causes a mild contraction of collagen fibres around the edge of the cornea, rather like a belt being tightened up a couple of notches. This causes the cornea to become more curved (steeper) in the centre. This increases the focusing power of the eye and corrects your longsightedness. The whole treatment can be performed in minutes.

FDA studies have shown this to be a safe and effective procedure. The benefits are that i) the important central part of your cornea, through which you see, isn’t disturbed, ii) the epithelium isn’t removed, iii) no cut or LASIK-type flap needs to be made, and iv) unlike laser vision correction, no tissue is removed.

Another exciting and increasingly popular use of CK is in the elimination of the need for reading glasses in those over 40 who have otherwise good distance vision. This is achieved through creating what is known as blended vision, also known as mono- or multivision. Basically, one eye is made mildly shortsighted with CK (again by a slight steepening of the cornea). This still allows you to use both eyes together for clear distance vision, while the CK treated eye has some extra help for reading. This can allow to you to keep out of reading glasses for years.

CK has been described as turning back the clock on our eyes by 10 years. However, as we age the clock keeps on ticking, and an enhancement may be necessary some years later.