Having poor eyesight is something that a lot of people are forced to deal with. There are many different ways that people try to correct their eyesight from wearing glasses or contacts to having surgery that corrects it permanently. Although having the surgery can be very successful, most people cannot afford it or are too afraid of the risks associated with it. This is why more people are trying Corneal Reshaping Therapy to correct their vision. This article is going to have a look at what CRT is and how it can help you have the eyesight that you’ve always dreamed. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more!
What is Corneal Reshaping Therapy?
Corneal Reshaping Therapy is an alternative treatment to the commonly known laser refractive surgery. This type of therapy originates from Orthokeratology and it involves using a set of gas permeable contact lenses that patients need to wear overnight. These lenses then shape your cornea, the front surface of your eye. It is important that these types of lenses are fitted by a trained professional to ensure that the whole procedure works effectively.
How does it work?
Because of the amazing results that patients can see from this type of procedure, there are many questions about the science behind it and how these lenses can make you see. This type of technology works great for people who struggle with seeing things that are far away. In patients who suffer from nearsightedness, objects get blurry because of the light focusing in front of the retina. This is where items like glasses, contact lenses or in this case, CRT lenses work well.
The specially fitted lenses are to be worn at night and they work by correcting your eyesight as you sleep. They gently reshape the cornea and will provide clear vision. This is some amazing technology and although it is temporary, lots of people are trying it out to see how it can change their lives.
What does the procedure involve?
There is very little that a patient needs to do when they are undergoing this type of procedure. Choosing the right doctor for the job who is qualified in this type of science is the first step to ensuring that the whole procedure goes well. The doctor will then use a corneal topographer which measures the curvatures of your corneas. You won’t feel any pain during this procedure, so you won’t need to worry about that. After that, the doctor will fit your eyes with ortho-k lenses that match the measurements.
It is likely that you will need to go through a couple of different lenses until you are able to get the maximum vision correction possible. At first, the idea of wearing these lenses when you are sleeping might feel slightly uncomfortable, but you will soon get used to the feeling and won’t notice them while you are sleeping.
How much does CRT cost?
The price that you will pay for Corneal Reshaping Therapy will depend on the doctor that you choose to use for the procedure. This will depend on how experienced they are, the cost of the lens and the time that it is going to take to complete the procedure. Your eyesight will also have an impact on the price as the type of lenses and strength will play its part. The cost of this type of procedure is typically less than the laser surgery that a lot of people opt for. You’ll expect to pay from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on how difficult the procedure is to do. You should also consider some of the further costs that might occur for things like lens care solutions or follow up examinations. It is unlikely that the entire cost of your CRT will be covered under your insurance plan but make sure to check as some of it may be included.
Is it safe?
The great thing about CRT is that it is FDA approved so it is safe for you to use. In June 2002, the FDA approved this type of procedure for both adults and children, meaning that it was able to be offered across many different practices. Because this procedure is non-surgical, you don’t have to worry about the risks involved. There have been many studies done to prove that this is a safe way of correcting your eyesight.
Final Verdict
Overall, Corneal Reshaping Therapy is a great way of temporarily correcting your eyesight. Once you are used to wearing the lenses at night, you’ll love waking up and being able to see. This is a great procedure to consider if you don’t enjoy wearing contact lenses or glasses or if you can’t afford the laser surgery. Make sure to check it out as soon as possible!