Minimize Your Dependence on Glasses and Contacts Without Surgery

Corneal Refractive Therapy, also known as CRT, is a non-surgical solution that is based upon the principle of orthokeratology. Orthokeratology refers to corneal reshaping with the purpose of correcting refractive vision errors that would otherwise require a patient to rely on prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Here at Clarke EyeCare Center, we are delighted to be able to offer our own brand of corneal refractive therapy to our patients to enable them to enjoy clear vision without prescription solutions or laser vision correction.

Why choose Corneal Refractive Therapy?

In order to be able to see clearly without them, the light that enters our eyes must be refracted directly onto the retina – a section of light-sensitive cells that are at the back of our eyes and responsible for sending messages up the optic nerve to our brain to tell us what we can see. If light doesn’t hit the retina properly, such in people who are near-sighted and for whom the light falls in front of it, the images that we can see appear blurred. Light refraction problems are known as refractive eye errors.

Glasses and contact lenses have long been the go-to solutions for refractive eye errors. However, both come with their own limitations. For glasses it may be that, despite the countless styles available, you still dislike your appearance wearing. You may be fed up with having to remember to take them with you when you go anywhere or wearing them may limit your ability to take part in certain activities and sports. Contact lenses are, in theory, more convenient. However, they are also more expensive than glasses, can be fiddly to put in place and aren’t necessarily ideal for patients with dry eye syndrome, eye allergies or other eye-related issues.

Corneal refractive therapy offers patients an alternative to both of these and laser vision correction. This effective and completely reversible and non-invasive solution involves wearing custom-designed contact lenses while you sleep that will re-shape your cornea so that light can be refracted correctly. When you wake, you can remove the lenses and enjoy significantly clearer vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

How long is Corneal Refractive Therapy effective for?

CRT is a progressive treatment. This means that the custom-designed lenses will need to be worn overnight continuously in order to achieve and maintain the best improvement in your vision. You may be lucky enough to see a significant improvement after just one use of your lenses, but it may only last for a few hours before your sight deteriorates. For the best results, CRT lenses must be worn nightly for the long-term. At optimal level, patients can enjoy clear vision without using glasses or contacts for up to 48 hours at a time.

What vision problems can be corrected using Corneal Refractive Therapy?

Whilst CRT is most commonly used to temporarily correct nearsightedness (myopia), it has also been successfully used to correct astigmatism, farsightedness (hyperopia) and presbyopia. It is also often used as a form of myopia control in young children as studies have shown that it can slow or halt the progression of myopia and potentially prevent many associated eye issues.

Who is a good candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?

• People who are good candidates for CRT:

• Have been diagnosed with myopia with a prescription within specified parameters

• Have been diagnosed with hyperopia, presbyopia or astigmatism within specific parameters

• Have stable vision

• Are not suitable candidates for laser vision correction

• Have jobs that make glasses or contact lenses impractical

• Participate in activities that make glasses or contact lenses impractical

• Have healthy eyes

Is Corneal Refractive Therapy safe?

Generally, it is not recommended that contact lenses are worn overnight. However, the lenses used in CRT are made from a special, gas-permeable material that enables sufficient oxygen to reach the eyes while you sleep. This helps to prevent dryness and other complications associated with night time wear of contacts. The FDA has approved orthokeratology methods as a safe and effective method of managing and correcting refractive eye conditions.

If you would like to find out more about Corneal Refractive Therapy, or to schedule an appointment to discuss your candidacy, please get in touch with our EyeCare Center in Wichita Fall, TX by calling 940-905-0700.