If you have a nearsighted child, and want to know if there is anything you can do now to slow the progressive decline in his/ her vision, you may wish to consult with one of our doctors about Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT).
CRT is a process of wearing contact lenses to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children by reshaping the cornea of each eye. The patient wears the special CRT lenses to bed each night, which effectively re-shapes the cornea for up to 24 hours at a time, allowing your child to see clearly throughout the day without corrective lenses.
Using CRT lenses, if worn each night, can effectively deter any further nearsightedness and is a good choice for children who are showing signs of being just as nearsighted as their nearsighted parents.
Your doctor will gladly discuss CRT options with you and your child, to see if this therapy is a choice to address your child’s nearsightedness.
What is Paragon CRT®?
Paragon CRT is a specially designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lens
used in Corneal Refractive Therapy.
Before CRT Lens is applied
 |
| |
CRT Lens applied to cornea
 |
| |
Cornea changes shape to match CRT Lens
 |
| |
Cornea retains shape after CRT lens is removed
 |
| |
Allowing light rays to focus directly on retina for clear image
 |
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is a sophisticated non-surgical process that temporarily reshapes the cornea while you sleep. You remove the lenses when you awake and are able to go throughout the day without any other vision correction.
How new is Paragon CRT?
The idea of contact lens corneal reshaping is not a new concept. In fact it has been around since 1960. Previous corneal reshaping designs were only as successful as technology allowed. Paragon Vision Sciences has taken the recent advancements in computerized corneal mapping, computerized manufacturing, and oxygen permeable contact lens materials to produce a therapeutic contact lens design that is like no other. This has allowed Paragon CRT to become the one corneal reshaping modality that truly stands out and the first to earn FDA approval for nighttime Corneal Refractive Therapy.
Is Corneal Refractive Therapy Permanent?
No. It’s temporary. If you stop wearing the lenses regularly while you sleep, your
vision will return to its original state in as little as 72 hours.
Can everyone wear Paragon CRT?
Paragon CRT treats nearsightedness (myopia up to –6.00 diopters) with or without minor astigmatism (up to –1.75 diopters). And because there are no age restrictions on Paragon CRT, it may be the perfect option for any member of the family including active adolescents. The doctor will provide more information about Paragon CRT to see if it is right for you. Paragon CRT therapeutic contact lenses are not yet available in bifocal prescriptions for presbyopia (which requires reading glasses or bifocals). At the doctor’s discretion you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision). However, since there are variations in patient physiology and visual needs, the decision for Paragon CRT, at any age, can only be made after a thorough eye exam and the recommendations of an eye care professional. At this time, hyperopia (farsightedness) is not correctable with Paragon CRT, but it is being investigated.
How long does it take to reach good vision?
Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of treatment and achieve nearly their optimum vision in 10 to 14 days.
What do I do to see adequately in the period of time between when I start
Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT and when I achieve full
treatment?
It’s important to understand that for a time after you have begun treatment, but before sufficient treatment is realized, your old glasses or contacts will no longer be the appropriate prescription. It may involve re-insertion of your Paragon CRT lenses for part of the day or some use of temporary soft lenses in different prescriptions. The doctor will discuss your options for visual correction during that period of time.
Are there any risks involved with wearing Paragon CRT?
There is a small risk involved when any contact lens is worn. It is not expected that the Paragon CRT lenses for contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy will provide a risk that is greater than other contact lenses. There were no serious adverse events reported in the Paragon CRT FDA clinical study.
Can I see with my Paragon CRT lenses in?
Yes. One of the great features of the Paragon CRT lens is that if you get up in the middle of the night, you will be able to see perfectly. You will enjoy great vision with your Paragon CRT lenses on or off.
How often will I have to replace my Paragon CRT lenses?
Generally speaking, the Paragon CRT lenses will have to be replaced annually.
However, depending on factors such as protein buildup, how well the lenses are
taken care of, etc., the lenses may have to be replaced more or less frequently.
How do I care for my Paragon CRT lenses?
Your lenses should be chemically disinfected after every use (not heat). We will
instruct you about which care system is best for you. Paragon Vision Sciences
exclusively recommends Unique-ph® Multi-purpose solution.
Is Corneal Refractive Therapy painful?
The therapy is not painful. Initially, you may have a slight awareness of the
therapeutic lens. You will not feel the lenses when you sleep and there is no
sense of physical corneal change…. just visual improvement when the lenses
are removed.
Is Corneal Refractive Therapy or Paragon CRT FDA approved?
Paragon CRT is the first therapeutic lens design approved by the FDA for
overnight contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy for the temporary reduction of
myopia. Paragon Vision Sciences, the manufacturer of Paragon CRT, received
the final written approval on June 13, 2002. The issuance of this approval is the
culmination of the most extensive clinical study to date to establish the safety and
efficacy of contact lens corneal reshaping in overnight use.
What is the difference between Corneal Refractive Therapy and Paragon
CRT?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is the process of using a therapeutic contact lens to
reduce myopia by reshaping the corneal surface while you sleep. Paragon CRT
is the product used for this therapy.
Are there age restrictions for Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon
CRT?
No. The FDA placed no age restrictions on candidates for Corneal Refractive
Therapy with Paragon CRT. Paragon CRT is being successfully performed on
children 12 years old and younger. It can be a great option for children and
teens that are active in sports activities or any other extra curricular activities.
Those who are older and presbyopic (requiring reading glasses or bifocals) may
still be candidates for Paragon CRT. They may correct their distance vision with
Paragon CRT and wear near vision glasses for close work. At the doctor’s
discretion you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near
vision and one corrected for distance vision). Visual requirements due to age or activities can only be made after a thorough eye exam and recommendations of a Paragon CRT certified eye care professional.
Are the Paragon CRT lenses difficult to insert or remove?
These lenses are generally no more difficult to insert or remove than any other
similar contact lens modality. You may want to instill comfort or rewetting drops
prior to insertion of the lenses and immediately upon waking. The lenses must
move freely prior to removal. You will also be given a lens removal aid to assist this process.
If I discontinue CRT, will my vision to return to normal?
There are no recorded permanent corneal changes post-treatment. Generally,
the more myopia being reduced, the longer it will take for the corneal curvature to
return to normal. For instance, if your pretreated correction was - 4.50D, it would
take a few days longer to return to normal than if the pretreated correction was
-1.50D.
My driver’s license is marked that I need corrective lenses to operate a
motor vehicle. What do I do about that?
Your eye care professional will supply you with a document that states you are
participating in a visual therapy program that eliminates the need for corrective
lenses while operating a motor vehicle. The document should have an expiration
date for this treatment and you should have your driver’s license updated with a
new vision screening through your local DMV office to reflect this change, before
the expiration date.
What happens if I lose or damage a lens?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is different than wearing regular contact lenses. If
you discontinue wear for one night, your vision may be impaired the next day.
Previously worn glasses or contact lenses may not help. Immediate replacement
is necessary! Having a spare pair of lenses is strongly recommended.
Does Insurance or benefit programs cover Corneal Refractive Therapy?
This is an elective procedure, and to the best of our knowledge is not usually
covered by benefit programs. If regular contact lenses are covered under your
vision care plan, Corneal Refractive Therapy may be partially covered. You
should check with your benefits plan administrator.
I suffer from “dry” eyes. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Only your eye care professional can determine if you are a CRT candidate.
Many patients with slightly dry eyes do well with Paragon CRT. Since you are
wearing the lenses only while sleeping, the closed eye state minimizes
evaporative loss of tears and can give dry-eye patients suitable vision without
compromising the ocular surface.
I used to wear contact lenses, but stopped due to discomfort. Am I a
candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Paragon CRT lenses are worn at night while you are sleeping. This greatly
reduces any discomfort normally experienced while wearing contact lenses
during the day.
I have astigmatism. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Paragon CRT is designed to correct myopia with up to 1.75 diopters of
astigmatism. Each individual should be evaluated by a certified eye care
professional to determine if Paragon CRT is right for your visual requirements.
I wear glasses. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
The transition from wearing only glasses to Paragon CRT should not be a
concern. About 18% of the patients in the FDA study were non-contact lens
wearers. The dropout rate related to discomfort was only 3.9%.
How can I tell if I have the original Paragon CRT lenses?
Each lens is laser marked to assure you and your eye care practitioner that you
have the original Paragon CRT therapeutic contact lens.
Unicorn Financial Services is in business to help patients by providing financing for cosmetic and elective surgery through our participating provider network. We’ve made the process as simple, quick and patient friendly as possible.
We finance various kinds of elective procedures including:
General, cosmetic and restorative dental treatment plans
Orthodontia treatment for children and adults, including InvisalignTM
Vision Correction Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery
Hair Restoration
You can choose an extended payment plan or you can enjoy the option of having to pay no interest at all with Unicorn’s No Interest Financing financing of 12, 18 or even 24 months interest free! Check with your doctor to see which programs they have elected to offer.
Unicorn has a short application and you can apply right from your doctor’s office. Unicorn responds with a credit decision in minutes. Once you’re approved, you have 60 days to schedule and complete your initial procedure. And it is easy for you because we pay the doctor directly.
So go ahead and schedule that procedure you have always wanted. Now there is no reason not to!
