CK eye treatment
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Hertfordshire UK
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CK eye treatment
Last month the FAA approved this non-laser technique for pilots. CK stands for conductive keratoplasty and the procedure involves applying rf energy in a circle around the cornea which steepens the cornea to create a belt-tightening effect, to treat age-related longsight, or presbyopia for those who had 20/20 sight before the curse of middle age set in. No lasers, no cutting, no tissue removal. Temporary, because the eyes continue to age but you can have the procedure again in a few years.
The CAA aren't so relaxed about this treatment because it's newer in the UK (but catching on fast). When I phoned them today they said the procedure would ground a class I holder for 12 months. Which for a working pilot is akin to saying forget it. Or have it done and don't tell them. Which is what I think some people are doing. A (private) pilot the clinic put me in touch with had the procedure the day before and was going flying the next!
Anyone else heard of this procedure? Or any bright ideas to dispense with the need for reading glasses & prevent the flight deck looking like a branch of Spec-savers? I'm just getting fed up with breaking, or losing my glasses all over the place !
The CAA aren't so relaxed about this treatment because it's newer in the UK (but catching on fast). When I phoned them today they said the procedure would ground a class I holder for 12 months. Which for a working pilot is akin to saying forget it. Or have it done and don't tell them. Which is what I think some people are doing. A (private) pilot the clinic put me in touch with had the procedure the day before and was going flying the next!
Anyone else heard of this procedure? Or any bright ideas to dispense with the need for reading glasses & prevent the flight deck looking like a branch of Spec-savers? I'm just getting fed up with breaking, or losing my glasses all over the place !
