Enjoy Clear Vision Without Surgery: Discover the Benefits of CRT for Dry Eye and LASIK Alternatives

I am tired of my glasses and contacts, but I don’t want surgery, what do I do?

Nowadays there are many ways to improve your vision. Today, about 75% of adults require some sort of vision correction, which most commonly includes glasses, soft contact lenses, or even laser surgery (LASIK).

However, even with these three common solutions, there are still those who do not want to deal with the hassle of keeping track of glasses and/or contact lenses, nor do they feel comfortable with getting eye surgery to correct vision (especially given the rare, but potential post surgical complications). Or maybe you suffer from dry eye, and it is uncomfortable for you to wear contact lenses during the day, or you are a non-candidate for LASIK because of it. So if this sounds like you, what else can we do?

Vision Care Center offers orthokeratology (ortho-k), which is an FDA approved method for vision correction. Also commonly known as CRT (corneal refractive therapy), CRT utilizes custom-made hard contact lenses that you wear while you sleep. While you sleep overnight for about 7-8 hours, the lenses gently reshape the surface of your eye (the cornea) so that when you remove the lenses in the morning, your vision is a perfect 20/20, and the effects last the entire day. This method of vision correction has been around for years, and it is FDA-approved and safe to sleep in. CRT is considered a specialty, and not every eye doctor provides this type of treatment.

How exactly does ortho-k and CRT work?

You can think of them as dental retainers for your eyes, except you only wear them when you sleep.  Similar to LASIK, CRTs will change the shape of your eye such that your prescription is zero. However, unlike LASIK, the effects of CRT are completely reversible, and even if you do not like utilizing the treatment, your eye will return back to normal after a couple of weeks and you can wear your normal glasses and contacts again. Upon starting treatment, most patients will see a dramatic improvement within the first few days, with complete vision correction after 1-2 weeks.

Is it safe?

Yes! CRT was originally utilized for young children whose glasses prescription has been increasing at a fast rate. CRTs are the mainline treatment for “myopia control” which can slow down the progression on nearsightedness by up to 70% (please see our earlier blog post about myopia control!). However, that doesn’t mean that adults can’t take advantage of glasses and contact lens-free vision! These lenses are designed to be super permeable to oxygen and have excellent fluid exchange, which ensures that your eye health remains optimal, even when wearing them overnight. Of course, Dr. Jin will perform a thorough eye examination before treatment to ensure that your eyes are healthy enough for the treatment

I suffer from dry eye, so I can’t wear normal contact lenses or get eye surgery. Can I still do CRT?

Yes! In fact, CRT is great for those who suffer from dry eyes. Since the lenses are worn while you sleep, and you don’t wear them throughout the day, the chances of experiencing dry eye is much less compared to traditional soft contact lenses, and especially laser eye surgery. If you suffer from dry eyes, Dr. Jin can also treat your dry eye symptoms at the same time as your CRT fitting and evaluation.

This sounds great! So, how do I start?

Vision Care Center offers free consultations for those who are interested. You will only be charged if you agree to proceed with treatment. If it has been over a year since your last normal eye exam, it is required that you schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam first, either from Dr. Jin or another eye care provider. 

Once Dr. Jin determines the status of your prescription and the health of your eyes, he will custom make CRT lenses that perfectly match your unique eye shape. Once lenses are received, you will be trained on how to insert and remove them properly and safely, as well as proper care of the lenses themselves. Initially, you will then be seen for a follow up the very next morning, at the 1 week mark, and then the 1 month mark. The lenses can be customized and changed any number of times within the first 3 months of fitting. Once your lenses and vision is corrected, you will be seen every 6-12 months depending on the severity of your pre-treatment prescription.

If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, you can schedule over the phone at (425) 746-2122 or you can request an appointment online. Looking forward to SEEing you here!