Why did the FDA approve CK for the “temporary” treatment of hyperopia?
Hyperopia is a progressive condition. This means that as people age their level of farsightedness will increase-with or without surgical intervention. It is for this reason the FDA recently changed its stability guidelines defining even hyperopic LASIK as temporary on its website. Clinical data shows CK’s stability is similar to hyperopic LASIK and significantly better than other refractive procedures such as LTK (laser thermal Keratoplasty). Because CK requires no cutting or removal of tissue and doesn’t entail the risks associated with other procedures it is more attractive for both initial and repeated treatments.
The FDA has recently changed its guidelines for stability because hyperopia is a progressive disease, which means as people age their level of farsightedness will increase – with or without surgical treatment. It’s for this reason that the FDA defines even hyperopic LASIK as temporary [on its Web site]. Clinical data shows CK’s stability is similar to hyperopic LASIK and significantly better than other refractive procedures, like LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty). And, because CK is a minimally invasive procedure it presents a much more attractive option for a future enhancement. Because there’s no cutting or removal of tissue, CK doesn’t carry many of the risks associated with other refractive procedures when repeated.
