CK with radiofrequency proves stable for temporary presbyopia correction

GOIANIA, Brazil — Conductive keratoplasty seems to be safe, effective and stable for the temporary correction of presbyopia by the induction of myopia in the non-dominant eye, a surgeon said here at the International Congress of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

"CK was once nicknamed 'corneal Botox,' so our goal was to document the 18-month efficacy and stability results of eyes treated with conductive keratoplasty with radiofrequency energy for the temporary correction of presbyopia," said Etelvino Coelho, MD, director of the Center for Refractive Microsurgery and Excimer Laser in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

He examined 31 eyes with 2 to 18 months of follow-up. A low-energy, high-frequency current was applied directly into the peripheral corneal stroma through a delivery tip inserted at 16 to 24 treatment spots in three optical zones (6 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm) with a constant amount of radiofrequency energy (0.60 W/0.6 seconds). The induction of myopia in the non-dominant eye was intended from –1 D to –4.96 D.

Twenty-seven of the 31 eyes (87%) obtained visual acuity of J1 at 30 days of follow-up and had stable near visual acuity throughout the 18-month follow-up, he said.

"All eyes were treated once, and there were no re-treatments," he said. "The eyes were analyzed for efficacy and predictability, as well as stability and safety."