Laser Thermal Keratoplasty (LTK) is a method of treating farsightedness that uses a beam of holmium- YAG laser energy to reshape the cornea. LTK is a non-contact laser procedure, as there is no cutting of the cornea, and nothing touches the eye before, during, or after the procedure except for the laser beam itself and an instrument to hold the eye open. The laser energy is applied in a predetermined pattern to shrink the collagen fibers in a way that steepens the cornea, changing the eye's focal point. No eye tissue is removed in the procedure.
Laser energy is applied for about three seconds in a pattern of points around the circumference of an imaginary circle that is outside the line of sight of the eye. The exact number of laser applied "dots" is dependent on the vision correction needed. The same procedure will be followed for the second eye. Most people go home within 30 minutes of the LTK Procedure.
Recovery time: 24 to 72 hours.