If You Can Read This ...

By David Bjerklie

Even those lucky enough to have perfect vision for their first 40 years will almost inevitably develop presbyopia (from the Greek for "aging eye"), a loss of elasticity in the lens that makes it difficult to focus on close objects, like a magazine. But it may be possible to avoid reading glasses now that the FDA has approved ViewPoint CK (conductive keratoplasty) as a treatment.

CK uses radio waves to tighten small areas of collagen, creating a constrictive band, like a belt, that increases the curvature of the cornea and brings near vision back into focus. But CK won't be the last word on presbyopia. Other techniques are in the pipeline vying for the looming market of 90 million baby boomers. --By David Bjerklie