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July 01st 2006
RED MAGAZINE - Health Details – by Gabrielle Nathan, Tried & Tested
Say Goodbye to Glasses
Denise Potter, 45, tested Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), an alternative to laser eye surgery
Being long-sighted on one eye meant I needed glasses for reading, but I had to take them off to see into the distance. CK treatment works by reshaping the peripheral portion of the cornea (the front part of the eye) by exposing it to a series of small radio wave pulses – it’s quick, painless and non-invasive. The cornea is bent onto a steeper shape to improve near vision. Dr David Allamby at the FOCUS Laser Vision in Harley Street carried out the procedure in his office. He administered anaesthetic drops as I looked up into a device that ‘marks’ your eye. A small pen-like instrument emitted radio waves at my cornea – all I felt was a pressure like the back of a spoon against my eyeball. Immediately after my eyes were quite teary, and for the next two days they felt tender, but there was no bruising. Best of all, I could read without specs almost straightaway. Due to the ageing process, I’ll need to go back for boosters, but hopefully no more than one every three years.
CONDUCTIVE KERATOPLASTY
WHAT? Corrects presbyopia (age-related poor reading vision).
HOW? Radio waves pulsed on to the cornea.
HOW MUCH? Consultation £95, then £995 per eye.
PROS Non invasive, quick and painless.
CONS You’ll need a top-up every three years.
RISKS Infection rarely.
SUCCESS RATE? Ninety-two per cent of patients could read close up a year later.
WHERE? FOCUS Laser Vision , 112 Harley Street, London, 0845 5000 500; focusclinics.com. |
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