Ortho-K

It is Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT. CRT is FDA approved for all ages to correct myopia, also known as nearsightedness. CRT is a therapeutic contact lens that gently and temporarily reshapes your cornea while you sleep. When you awake, simply remove your lenses and experience great vision all day. No more torn lenses, broken frames or discomfort sometimes associated with daytime contact lens wear. Whether you are playing sports or applying makeup, with CRT nothing stands between you and excellent vision. If you’re one of the many individuals who live an active lifestyle, Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses may be the option for you!

Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses are a specially designed FDA-approved therapeutic contact lens worn only while sleeping. This eliminates the dryness and discomfort of daytime contact lenses, giving you freedom when it matters most. Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses gently reshape the cornea without permanent alteration. This procedure is known as orthokeratology (ortho-k), and it’s temporary and reversible.

Since it is FDA approved for all ages, it is also suitable for correction of myopia in children!

Myopia FACTS

• Myopic eye is longer than the non-myopic eye
• Instead of light focusing on the back of the eye (the retina), light focuses in front of the eye, causing blurred vision
• The onset of myopia at an early age brings with it the likelihood of life-long eye care, which can effect visual performace in the classroom.
• Later in life, if not treated properly, high levels of myopia doubles the risk of serious ocular health problems such as retinal detachment, cataract and glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss and blindness.
• The causes of myopia are both genetic and environmental
• It is estimated that the number of people with myopia will continue to grow

Paragon CRT® Contact Lens Design and Initial Fitting

Beyond a comprehensive eye examination, the following outlines the basic steps involved in the fitting process:

A corneal topography will be performed to determine the shape of your cornea and assist in the selection of an initial diagnostic lens. If necessary, additional diagnostic lenses will be prescribed until we obtain the ideal corneal-treatment lens fitting relationship. It is believed that the ortho-k effect occurs in the corneal epithelium, which is the top layer of the cornea. The treatment lens is specifically designed to alter the shape of this tissue. As illustrated in this cross section view above, the treatment lens is flatter than the cornea at its center and takes a plateau shape toward its periphery.

We will provide a temporary pair of Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses that you will use during your initial treatment period.

Paragon CRT® Contact Lens Wear

While wearing the Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses, the surface differences between the lens and the cornea, forces the cornea (epithelium) to take on a new shape. The corneal tissue begins to take on the shape of the back surface of the treatment lens, which is designed to correct for myopia and astigmatism.

Paragon CRT® Contact Lens Removal

After wearing the lens overnight, the Paragon CRT® Contact Lens is removed revealing a new corneal surface shape. You should notice improved vision, however, during the first few days of treatment, and depending on your prescription, you may notice that the effect will fade quickly. However, with every successive night of wear, the effect should become greater and last longer. It will take between 7 to 14 days of treatment to obtain unaided-vision throughout your day.

Do you want to stop your myopia from progressing?

Dr. Dovzhuk is more experienced with ORTHO-K than any doctor in New York City