WHAT IS CORNEAL REFRACTIVE THERAPY?
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) or Corneal Molding is a non-surgical procedure to reduce one’s nearsightedness by gently reshaping the cornea during sleep. The cornea is gradually flattened by the insertion of a highly specialized rigid gas permeable contact lens. Patients remove the lenses in the morning and go throughout the day without any other correction. The flattening of the cornea typically lasts 16-18 hours but is somewhat dependent upon the cornea’s rigidity, patient’s age, and the initial prescription.
WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH CORNEAL MOLDING?
Each patient is required to have a comprehensive eye health examination. If the glasses prescription falls within a certain range of nearsightedness, further testing is performed. An extensive corneal mapping (or topography) then determines if a patient is a good candidate for the CRT devices. Our patient will then be fit with a molding CRT device. These molding lenses are only worn during sleep. Each night these lense devices will gradually flatten the center of the cornea, thereby reducing myopia (nearsightedness) and improving vision. Patients with higher prescriptions may require several days of CRT device wear to achieve their desired visual goal. It may be necessary for these patients to wear soft contact lenses during the day for a few days until the cornea becomes and remains sufficiently flattened for a full day.
IS CORNEAL MOLDING NEW?
No, CRT is a technological advance over a procedure used for the past thirty years called Orthokeratology. In Orthokeratology treatments, corneal molding could only be performed during waking hours as there were no rigid lenses safe for overnight wear. By utilizing lenses which can be worn overnight, we are able to achieve in a few days the same degree of flattening that would have taken months to achieve with Orthokeratology.
IS CORNEAL MOLDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO REFRACTIVE SURGERY?
Yes, corneal molding through CRT is a non-surgical alternative to refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK. Individuals interested in reducing their dependence on daytime glasses and contact lens wear, or who are apprehensive about surgery, now have a safe and effective alternative to surgery.
IS CORNEAL MOLDING PERMANENT?
Unlike refractive surgery, corneal molding is reversible simply by removing the lens devices for a few days. The cornea returns to its pre-CRT shape within a short period of time.
IS THERE ANY SCARRING WITH CORNEAL MOLDING?
No, CRT is a non-invasive form of vision correction, and molding of the cornea does not cause scarring. If any changes to the cornea should become evident, CRT lens devices may be discontinued. Not all patients will have corneas which will tolerate overnight wear of the CRT devices. Corneal health will be evaluated at every follow-up visit.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO QUALIFY FOR CRT?
CRT is available to anyone able to insert and remove the lens devices by themselves and to those whose prescription falls within an acceptable range. Generally, children age 9-10 and above are not surgery candidates until their late teens or early twenties. This patient population may find CRT to be a good option, especially if they are active in sports. There is no upper age limit for CRT.
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO WEAR THE CRT DEVICES?
Wear time varies by prescription, but generally the CRT devices have to be worn every night in order to maintain the flattened shape of the cornea. With low prescriptions, some patients are able to wear the lens devices every other night.
WILL MEDICAL INSURANCE COVER CRT?
No, although CRT improves your vision, the insurance carriers define CRT as an elective or cosmetic procedure and typically do not cover CRT.
WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR CORNEAL MOLDING?
Corneal Molding through CRT is billed as a global fee of $1195.00. This fee is subject to a 10% discount if paid by cash or a personal check. It covers the cost of the CRT devices (as many pairs as it takes to correctly and consistently re-shape the corneas), all professional fees and follow-up visits for the first 12 months. The fitting is 100% satisfaction guaranteed for 30 days. If for any reason a patient decides to stop using the devices, or if the doctor believes the CRT device is not a good option, we will issue a 100% refund as long as the molding lenses are returned. A back-up pair of lens devices is highly advised and can be purchased during the first 90 days at a significant discount.