Procedure Reduces Need For Reading Glasses A 30 minute visit to the doctor's office is making it easier for some patients in Grand Rapids to read and see things close up. "The whole goal of this procedure is to reduce your dependence on glasses," says Dr. David Verdier at the Verdier Eye Center.
At age 55 retired school teacher Richard Lintz of Middleville is an ideal candidate for a new eye proceedure called "Conductive Keratoplasty" or "NearVision CK". Lintz says his reading vision has deteriorated and his dependence on glasses increased over the past 10 years. "I always had to have a lot of different pairs of glasses around," he says. "Losing them, breaking them. This procedure seemed like something that would work for me."
Doctors at the Verdier Eye Clinic say they are the first to offer NearVision CK in Grand Rapids. The doctor uses radio frequency to make 8 or more microscopic abrasions around the cornea of the eye. Healing changes the shape of the cornea and permits the eye to see close objects better.
"CK is for people who have good distance vision but need reading glasses for up close," says Dr. Ann Renucci at the Verdier Eye Center. "People who are usually in their 40's or older."
The procedure is performed under local anesthetic. It's usually only done on one eye and the price is $1,500. In a day or two the patient can return to work and expect steady improvement in near vision over the next few months.
"I didn't feel anything," says patient Richard Lintz. "There wasn't any discomfort. This is something I've been looking forward to."
"We'll see how he's doing tomorrow, the next day and three months down the road," says Dr. Verdier. "I am very optimistic."
To learn more about NearVision CK in Grand Rapids
contact the Verdier Eye Center at 616-949-2001.
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