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manchester evening news 31/1/03

Radio wave blast gives perfect vision

TWO north west patients today (Friday) became the first in the UK to have their sight corrected by radio waves.

The revolutionary five-minute treatment for long-sighted people - called CK - involves changing the shape of the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, using a high energy blast of radio waves.

The doctor uses a cool tip thinner than a strand of human hair to apply the radio waves to the edge of the cornea as a ring of spots, from eight to 32, depending on the strength of the patient's glasses.

Pioneered in the US, the first UK treatment was taking place today in Bolton and its first beneficiaries will be a woman from New Mills, in Derbyshire, and man from Bolton.

Ophthalmic surgeon Mr. David Allamby FRCS, of Horizon Laser Eye Centres, will carry out the treatment and the cost is similar to that of laser vision correction at about £1,250 per eye

"Laser vision correction has been developed mainly for short sight and isn't as effective for long sight," he said. "Finally, we have a procedure specifically for those millions of longsighted people over 40, including those who only need reading glasses".

The new treatment is aimed at two main groups of people - those who have never worn glasses and have clear distance vision, but now need reading glasses, and those with mild to moderate long sight and need glasses for distance as well as reading.

Long sight affects one in four people overall, but one in three of the 55-60 age group, and almost half of everyone over 60.

Mr. Allamby said: "The average age of CK patients is 55, compared to 38 for laser vision correction.

"The 40-60 age group have been much less active in considering laser surgery. Yet they are more interested in the safety of CK. They like the fact that there is no blade or laser, and the important central line-of-sight part of the cornea isn't touched. Also, unlike laser treatment, no tissue is removed. These people are more risk-averse, and they like the quick five minute, minimally invasive CK approach".