Conductive keratoplasty for the correction of hyperopia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Conductive keratoplasty (CK) is a surgical technique that delivers radio frequency (350 kHz) current directly into the corneal stroma through a Keratoplasty tip inserted into the peripheral cornea at 8 to 32 treatment points. A full circle of CK spots produces a cinching effect that increases the curvature of the central cornea, thereby decreasing hyperopia. We report here the 12-month results of a 2-year, prospective, multicenter US clinical trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and stability of CK. METHODS A total of 233 patients (401 eyes) with preoperative hyperopia of +0.75 to +3.00 D and < or = 0.75 D of astigmatism (mean preoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent = +1.76 D +/- 0.60) were enrolled into the study at 13 centers and underwent CK treatment. RESULTS Twelve-month postoperative data are available on 203 eyes for safety and stability and 171 eyes for safety, stability, and efficacy. A total of 91% had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better, and 51% had UCVA of 20/20 or better. Manifest refractive spherical equivalent was within +/- 0.50 D in 58%, within +/- 1.00 D in 91%, and within +/- 2.00 D in 99%. The mean change in residual refraction was 0.26 D +/- 0.49 between 3 and 6 months, 0.09 D +/- 0.37 between 6 and 9 months, and 0.13 D +/- 0.39 between 9 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS One-year data show safety and efficacy of CK in the treatment of hyperopia. Changes in residual refractive error after CK appeared to be small, suggesting that a stable refraction could be achieved by 6 months.