Approved by the FDA in 2002, conductive keratoplasty (CK) is a non-laser, minimally invasive procedure to correct reading vision in patients who use only reading glasses. Other uses of CK are the correction of astigmatism and the correction of mild forms of hyperopia to improve distance vision.

CK is an office procedure done with anesthetic eye drops and a tiny probe that delivers  brief, painless bursts of radiofrequency energy to the cornea. The energy is delivered in a circular pattern of 8, 16 or 24 microscopic spots to the outer layer of the cornea, changing the curvature and improving reading vision. CK is less invasive than LASIK, but lasts only two to three years before it has to be repeated. It may be a good option for patients who see well for distance but need glasses for reading.