The technique, called conductive keroplasty (CK), uses radio waves to change the shape of the cornea, the clear window in front of the coloured iris. Developed by doctors in the USA, it is designed to correct the long-sightedness that affects many of us sooner or later: one in three people between 55 and 60 and half of all those over the age of 60 need to wear glasses for reading. Once anaesthetising drops have been put into the eyes, precisely targeted radio waves are applied through tiny probes are used on points around the cornea. The heat generated has the effect of shrinking the band of collagen around the cornea, much like pulling in a belt a couple of notches. The radio waves can be applied to a number of points ranging from eight to 32, depending on the degree of correction required. It only takes about five minutes to treat each eye, at a cost of around £1,000 per eye. The first clinics haved in Manchester and Bolton with another due toin London in February. Ophthalmic surgeon Dr David Allamby, medical director of the Horizon Eye Laser Centre in Manchester, believes that the treatment will be hugely popular with the so-called ‘baby boomer' generation. However he points out that the effects don't last forever. 'The treatment winds the clock back about five or 10 years', he says, ‘after which people may need to have it done again.'