Corneal Reshaping

What is the Simple Definition of Corneal Refractive Therapy?

Simply stated, corneal refractive therapy is a sophisticated, non-surgical process which
reshapes the cornea during sleep. The individual wearing CRT lenses removes the lenses
upon awaing and is a!le to go throughout the day without needing vision correction
such as spectacles or contact lenses.
"s Corneal Refractive Therapy the Same as #rthoeratology?
#rthoeratology is defined as the reshaping of the cornea to reduce myopia through the
use of rigid contact lenses. So technically, CRT is a type of orthoeratology. $owever,
earlier corneal reshaping designs were limited !y the availa!le technology of the time.
The newly developed corneal refractive therapy utili%es recent advancements in three
highly technical areas, computeri%ed corneal mapping, computeri%ed manufacturing, and
o&ygen permea!le contact lens materials, to produce a therapeutic contact lens design
that is uni'ue. This has allowed CRT to !ecome the first corneal reshaping modality to
earn (D) approval for nighttime corneal refractive therapy.
What is a more Technical Definition of Corneal Refractive Therapy *CRT+,?
Corneal refractive therapy is a (D) approved contact lens corneal reshaping system used
to reduce or temporarily correct myopia. The method was approved in -une, .//. !y the
(D) for correction of up to 01.// D of myopia with up to 02.34 D of cylinder. The term
Corneal Refractive Therapy is a (D) approved indication and is in the pu!lic domain,
whereas, the acronym CRT is a registered trademar of 5aragon 6ision Sciences. CRT
descri!es a method of correction for myopia !y use of overnight wear of specially
designed gas permea!le lenses that redistri!ute and compress the corneal epithelium such
that central epithelial thicness is decreased while peripheral epithelial thicness is
increased. The reconfiguration of the epithelium results in redistri!ution of the refractive
power of the cornea. The process is reversi!le when contact lens wear is discontinued.
7ens selection in guided !y the patient refraction, corneal curvature measurements, and
confirmation of lens fit !y evaluation of the fluorescein pattern !eneath the contact lens.
What are the !enefits of Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy offers freedom from glasses and the need of wearing contact
lenses during the day. )ctive individuals can freely participate in sports without the
interference of glasses or need of contacts lenses. (urthermore, since the lenses are only
worn during the night, eye irritation or dryness, sometimes associated with contact lens
wear due to outside dust and pollutants, is eliminated. 7astly, the process is completely
reversi!le.
$ow 7ong Does "t Tae to )chieve 8ood 6ision?
Some individuals report good vision the first day. 9ost however find improvement in the
first few days of treatment. "ndividual optimum vision is usually achieved in 2/ to 2:
days. "t may !e that for a time after you have !egun CRT treatment, your spectacles or
contacts will no longer !e the appropriate prescription. ;ou may need to utili%e your
CRT lenses for part of the day or possi!ly use temporary soft lenses in different
prescriptions as an interim option. ;our eye care practitioner will discuss your options for
visual correction during the transitional period.
What Will 9y 6ision <e 7ie While Wearing CRT 7enses?
;our vision should !e e&cellent. #ne of the positive features of CRT, is that if you have
to get up in the middle of the night, you will !e a!le to see and thus not need to put on
your glasses. )lso, if during the treatment phase, you find that you re'uire vision
correction, you can wear your CRT lenses to see clearly.
$ow 7ong Does Corneal Refractive Therapy 7ast?
This therapy is only temporary. "f you stop wearing the lenses regularly while you sleep,
your vision will return to its original state in as little as 3. hours. This maes the therapy
completely reversi!le.
Who is =ligi!le for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
CRT is designed for individuals with low to moderate myopia *nearsightedness up to 0
1.// diopters, with or without astigmatism *up to 02.34 diopters,. )t the present time,
hyperopia *farsightedness, is not correcta!le with CRT. )lso, CRT does not correct for
pres!yopia *re'uiring reading glasses or !ifocals,. =ach individual>s eyes have
differences in physiology and visual re'uirements. Therefore, the decision for corneal
refractive therapy, at any age, can only !e made after a thorough eye e&am and the
recommendation of your eye doctor