Corneal Refractive Therapy

CRT Vision Correction

Corneal Refractive Therapy may allow you to correct your vision as you sleep and wake up seeing clearly
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up and see clearly all day long without having to wear your glasses or contacts, or having surgery to correct your vision? Well, now you can stop wondering!
You now live in an age where nighttime vision correction is a safe and effective alternative to wearing your glasses, contacts, or going through a surgical procedure to correct your vision. Paragon CRT®, is FDA approved for Corneal Refractive Therapy, a technique for patients of all ages that can correct your vision while you sleep with the use of specially designed gas permeable treatment lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Corneal Refractive Therapy

What is CRT®?
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT®) is a non-surgical process that gently reshapes your cornea while you sleep with the use of specially designed gas permeable contact lenses. CRT allows a patient to have clear vision during the day without the use of glasses or contact lens wear.

I am already wearing contact lenses. How is CRT different?

Most contact lens patients wear their lenses for 14-16 hours a day. Since you will only wear your therapeutic Paragon CRT lenses while sleeping, your wear time will be cut in half. This reduction in wear time may actually be healthier for your eyes. Also, all of the potential annoyances associated with daytime contact lens wear are no longer an issue for CRT patients.

Is CRT permanent?

No, it is temporary. If you stop using the Paragon CRT lenses your vision will return to its original state in as little as 72 hours.

Who is a good candidate for CRT?

Not everyone can wear Paragon CRT lenses. This treatment is designed for individuals with low to moderate myopia (nearsightedness up to -6.00 diopters) with or without astigmatism (up to 1.75 diopters). And there are no age restrictions for CRT, which makes it an excellent option for everyone.

How long does it take to reach and maintain good vision throughout the day?

Most patients have rapid visual improvement in the first few nights of treatment and achieve their optimum vision within 7 to 14 days.
What can I do to see adequately in the period of time between when I start CRT and when I achieve full treatment?
During this transitional period, you can insert your Paragon CRT lenses for part of the day or use temporary soft lenses or glasses. Your eye doctor will help guide you towards the best option until your vision stabilizes.

Are there any risks associated with Corneal Refractive Therapy?

There is a risk associated when wearing any type of contact lens. However, there were no adverse events observed in the Paragon CRT FDA clinical study.
Can I see clearly while wearing my Paragon CRT lenses?
Yes, you should have excellent distance vision when wearing your lenses, in case you want to watch TV before you fall asleep or have to wake up in the middle of the night to take care of your children.

How often will I need to replace my Paragon CRT lenses?
Generally speaking, Paragon CRT lenses will have to be replaced yearly. The condition of the lenses and any changes in your prescription will be assessed at your yearly exam to determine if new lenses are needed.

What does the fitting process entail?
CRT fitting takes about one hour. The initial appointment involves assessing your refraction, trying on the Paragon CRT lenses for proper fit and vision, and may include obtaining a computerized map of the shape of your cornea. Next, you will be taught how to insert and remove your lenses, as well as how to care for them.

It is very likely that we will have your specific lenses available to send home with your at the time of your fitting. That night you can begin your CRT treatment! Early the following morning, you will come into the office while wearing your lenses. We will examine you to see how your eyes have responded to the first night of wear, and will make any necessary fitting adjustments. We will also discuss what method is best to correct any remaining nearsightedness or astigmatism during the transition until your treatment is optimized.

You will return to the office one week following your first night of wear to see how your vision is improving. To determine if your treatment is lasting the entire day, this appointment will be in the afternoon. Subsequent appointments will be made as follow-up protocol dictates, which typically involves two more short visits one month and three months after your first night of wear.

This article about Corneal Refractive Therapy has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.