Corneal Refractive Therapy
New research has shown that nearsighted progression that typically occurs in children and adolescents can be slowed down. The typical standard of care for nearsighted treatment is glasses or soft contact lenses. However, glasses and soft contact lenses will not prevent the progression of nearsightedness. New research has shown that nearsighted changes can be slowed down with Corneal Refractive Therapy compared to glasses and soft contact lenses.
Patients can be free of daytime contact lenses and glasses without surgery. Recent clinical research combined with the latest corneal surface mapping technology, computerized manufacturing, and highly oxygen breathing materials have brought new science to corneal reshaping.
Corneal Refractive Therapy involves wearing therapeutic contact lenses at night to gently re-shape the curvature of your eye. The result is the correction of your nearsightedness such that when you remove the lenses in the morning you have clear vision without using any lenses during the day. Any irritation associated with contact lens wear due to outside dust and pollutants is eliminated.
Frequently asked questions about Corneal Refractive Therapy
If I don’t want to wear my contact lenses or glasses during the day is there something you can do for me?
Yes! Dr. Armitage will perform a thorough eye examination and evaluate if you are a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy.
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
It is a non-surgical, reversible process to gently re-shape your cornea while you sleep. The result is great vision for you without contact lenses during the day and while you wear these therapeutic devices at night. The process is similar to wearing a dental retainer at night. You insert the therapeutic devices at night and remove them in the morning. You have corrected vision throughout the day without contact lenses or glasses.
What type of patients are the best candidates for this procedure?
The most optimal results are achieved with those patients that have mild to moderate nearsightedness with or without mild astigmatism.
When will I be able to stop wearing my glasses or contact lenses?
You will notice an improvement in vision after the first couple of nights. The full effect usually takes 10 -14 days. Stable vision through the entire day takes about 1 month.
What if I stop wearing the devices at night?
Since the effect is temporary, your vision will return to its original state within 3 days.
What are the advantages of Corneal Refractive Therapy?
- Free of surgical risk and is reversible (refractive surgery is not!!)
- Can be performed on a child who could wear contact lenses.
- Can be modified if nearsighted prescriptions changes over the years
- Provides freedom from glasses and contact lenses for recreation, swimming, beach, sports and leisure
- Approximately one third the cost of LASIK
What are the disadvantages of Corneal Refractive Therapy?
- Lenses must be worn nightly to maintain the correction
- Not everyone can presently benefit by these procedures
- Does not provide full correction on all eyes
Call 739-2050 to speak with Joyce, our Paragon CRT coordinator. She will be happy to answer your questions and will also assist in scheduling a FREE consultation for you.
For more information visit www.paragoncrt.com.
