Radio wave surgery which can help those with long sight recover normal vision is to be used in Britain for the first time today.

The technique, conductive keratoplasty (CK), uses radio waves to reshape the cornea, and offers hope of life without reading glasses for millions.

Long sight affects 25% of people after the age of 45 and a half of those over 60.

The procedures will be carried out at the Horizon Laser Eye Centre in Manchester by medical director, ophthalmic surgeon, David Allamby.

Laser surgery has become a popular option for short-sighted people. It can also be used to correct long sight, but according to Mr Allamby, is not as effective in that role.

"Finally we have a technique for those millions of people, including those who need only reading glasses. It turns the clock back about 10 years. But it can be done again if necessary," he told the Times.

The technique, which was developed by US company Refractec, is not guaranteed to produce 20:20 vision. However, clinical trials have shown that 92% of patients with low to moderate levels of long sight achieve near-normal vision after one procedure.