Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT®) is a procedure that uses specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses to reshape the cornea. The patient inserts the lens at night which temporarily reshapes the corneas, improving vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts.
How it works
It takes approximately one to two weeks wearing the lens each night to achieve optimum
vision. CRT® is not permanent like laser which also reshapes the cornea. The patient will experience changes in vision if the lens is not worn for 72 hours. The vision will revert to the way it was.Age is not a limitation for the procedure, younger patients who are not eligible for laser can benefit from CRT®. Near-sighted (myopia) patients with mild astigmatism are the best candidates. Factors which would exclude patients would include farsighted correction, hard contact lens wearer and severe astigmatism.
CRT® lenses redistribute cells in the corneal from the center to the periphery. The cornea becomes flatter and allows light rays to be refocused, correcting vision. It takes 7-14 days to see the best improvement in vision. Approximately 92% of the patients will have 20/30 vision after this time frame.
Treatment
The federal Food and Drug Administration approved the Paragon CRT in June 2002, and since then several thousand of patients have been treated successfully with this therapeutic lens. The Paragon CRT web site, www.paragoncrt.com lists all the certified providers. Dr. Grace Y. Burke, optometrist, has been certified and providing the procedure since October 2004 at the Center for Sight / Watertown Eye Center.
The cost of the treatment including the lenses is $900.00. The follow up visits over a 3 month period are also included. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 315-788-6070 or 1-800-454-EYES (3937).
