Advanced Corneal Refractive Therapy Ortho-K
(Corneal Reshaping Therapy)
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is a non-surgical
process which reshapes the cornea of the eye utilizing custom
designed contact lenses thereby reducing dependence on eyewear.
Is this a new Procedure?
Yes and No. Many of the principles date back to 1962, but
the technology is from the computer age. Lens materials available
today far exceed even soft contact lenses for providing the
eye with the oxygen necessary for healthy vision. The Corneal
Topographer, an instrument used for mapping the cornea, makes
Corneal Refractive Therapy a precise treatment.
How safe is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Many people have been able to eliminate their dependence
upon their glasses and standard contacts with no adverse effects
or eye damage. Unlike surgical Radial Keratotomy, this procedure
will not scar the corneal tissue, which may cause poor night
vision. However, as with all contact lenses, care must be
taken to maintain eye health.
Who can benefit from Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy works best on
nearsightedness and astigmatism, but lens designs for farsightedness
are also being developed. Not everyone meets the criteria
for Corneal Refractive Therapy. Your doctor
will be able to advise you.
Why have I never heard about this?
Only recently have doctors been teaching patients about this
specific specialty. This is now a FDA approved nightwear procedure.
More publicity is recently being given for this treatment
as an alternative fitting method to Lasiks.
Can Corneal Refractive Therapy help children and teenagers with a brighter
future?
Absolutely, Corneal Refractive Therapy is
used to retard the progression of nearsightedness and other
refractive errors, leaving children and teenagers with a brighter
future.
Will I still have to wear glasses or contacts?
Once a desired level of correction is obtained the final
lenses act as retainers to maintain this level. A short period
of daily or weekly wearing time is customized for each patient.
Regular contact lenses are not needed. Glasses may be needed
for reading or other part time use.
How long does it take to be able to see well without glasses?
Changes in vision can be appreciated within hours to days.
Some cases take from three to six months to have stable functional
vision.
Can Corneal Refractive Therapy be detected?
All corneal molding procedures can be detected because the
cornea is flattened.
Can Corneal Refractive Therapy be performed
on someone who has had surgical Radial Keratotomy or Lasiks?
Yes, in most cases Corneal Refractive Therapy
can help uncorrected refractive errors from RK and astigmatism
caused by the surgery. Corneal Refractive Therapy
is used to retard the progression of nearsightedness. Other
refractive lenses cannot repair the corneal scarring or help
the night vision problems associated with surgery.
Is Corneal Refractive Therapy permanent?
After treatment and maximum results are achieved, retainer
lenses are worn to stabilize the new corneal shape. Failure
to wear the retainer lenses on a regular basis will result
in the return to the pre-existing prescription. Retainers
may be prescribed during day or night.
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