Special Report: Goodbye Glasses

Back when she was competing in regional beauty pageants, former Miss Massachusetts runner-up, Ann Lee, had no problem reading her lines. But more recently, like many baby boomers, Ann's eyesight started to go.

Ann Lee, Had Poor Eyesight
"I had a pair of glasses here, anywhere I sat, I had a pair of glasses… Here's another pair."

She always had to have these close by.

Ann Lee, Had Poor Eyesight
"It's just the inconvenience of always having to pull out your glasses… As you get older, it's just one more thing that's going."

But a new procedure has given Ann a clearer focus without the eyewear.

Ann Lee, Had Poor Eyesight
"I see better than 20/20 now."

It's called CK, or conductive keratoplasty. The FDA recently approved this minimally evasive procedure to help 90 million aging Americans see better.

Dr. Helen Wu, NE Eye Center, Boston
"The procedure itself is very, very quick, it takes anywhere from one to three minutes, so it's rapid, it's painless."

Here's how it works, a small probe, thinner than a human hair, is inserted into the cornea's edge. The probe releases radio waves, which heat and shrink the cornea. This is done in a circle around the eye, eight times. In the end, the patient's cornea is tightened and refocused, bringing everything that's near into view.

Mike, CK Patient
"It was a big difference. I was surprised."

Dr. Helen Wu, NE Eye Center, Boston
"It's a safe and effective procedure, absolutely."

One reason why doctors claim CK is safe, there's no cutting or removing of tissue as in laser surgery.

Ann Lee, Had Poor Eyesight
"I was always a little bit nervous about the lasik because I thought it was invasive, and this is not invasive at all."

Dr. Helen Wu, NE Eye Center, Boston
"It's only radio frequency waves that are shrinking the cornea, so in terms of the safety profile, it's incredibly safe."

Only a handful of Boston eye doctors offer the treatment and it isn't for everybody, just for people whose eyesight is blurring with age.

Dr. Helen Wu, NE Eye Center, Boston
"This is for somebody, who's had good vision his or her entire life… This isn't a procedure for somebody, who's near sighted, or somebody, who's very, very farsighted."

Doctors say 98 percent of all patients will notice better vision, usually in several months. In some cases it's a lot sooner.

Ann Lee, Had Poor Eyesight
"The amazing part is right away you can see. They say it might take a little while, but it was just like that."

CK costs between $1,500 to $2,000 per eye. Many patients only need to have one eye done, to get good results.

The following doctors offer CK treatment:

Dr. Helen Wu
Dr. Michael Goldstein
New England Eye Center
Boston
800-GREAT-EYES
www.mylasikdoc.com/pages/physicians.html

Lambert-Nielsen Eye Center
617-471-5665

Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary
617-523-7900
www.meei.harvard.edu/index.php