Corneal Refractive Therapy
Schedule an Eye Exam
All You Need to Know
If you or a loved one are tired of wearing traditional eyewear such as glasses or contacts, our doctors can provide you with an outstanding alternative to improve your quality of life. While LASIK is still a popular option, Corneal Refractive Therapy is available to patients of all ages to slowly improve their vision at night while sleeping. This procedure isn’t permanent, meaning you can easily transition back to traditional eyewear or get LASIK later in life. Our doctors want you to be comfortable in your daily life and activities. If you’re interested in pursuing Corneal Refractive Therapy, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our talented doctors.
Here at Art of Optiks, we strive to provide you with excellent corneal refractive therapy consultations and services. Our doctors will become familiar with your eyes and get to know you, so we can help you choose the most comfortable vision solution for your lifestyle. With our extensive years of service in the eyecare industry, we will provide you with a pleasant, informative experience to meet all your needs regarding Corneal Refractive Therapy.
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy or Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a technology used by eye doctors to change a patient’s prescription without performing surgery on the eye(s). Rigid, gas permeable contact lenses are prescribed that slowly reshape the cornea over time. Patients are required to wear the lenses at night while you sleep. Corneal Refractive Therapy is typically used to correct myopia or nearsightedness and, in some cases, astigmatism. The lenses are removed upon waking, and you will be able to see clearly while no longer requiring glasses or contacts during the day. Our eye doctors will determine if you’re an eligible candidate during a comprehensive eye exam, and from the results, identify which type of corneal reshaping lenses are the best fit for you.
Children and Teenagers
Wearing glasses at a young age can be difficult, and your vision can change quite quickly. Parents have shown concern that their children’s vision will continue to change as they age thus requiring a stronger prescription. Corneal Refractive Therapy is an excellent treatment option for children as it has been reported to help slow or prevent the progression of myopia or nearsightedness. Children that choose Corneal Refractive Therapy have had less of a vision decline than those who use glasses or contact lenses.
Teenagers that play contact sports such as football or hockey can benefit significantly from Corneal Refractive Therapy. If your student athlete isn’t performing how they usually do during big games or says they’re having trouble seeing the whiteboard during class, our doctors encourage you to consider Corneal Refractive Therapy as an alternative option.
Adults
If you live an active lifestyle and enjoy activities or have a job where the conditions aren’t suitable for traditional contacts or glasses, Corneal Refractive Therapy eliminates the need for conventional eyewear during the waking hours. Adults that enjoy golfing, biking, skiing, or swimming will be able to complete these activities without having to worry about glasses or contacts. Additionally, those that work in a dusty or dirty environment will likely be more comfortable throughout their workday with Corneal Refractive Therapy. If you suffer from allergies, dry eye, or other eye conditions, Corneal Refractive Therapy will relieve the irritation that’s commonly felt with regular contact lenses.
What to Expect
Once our doctors have determined whether you’re a good candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy, a corneal topographer will be used to measure the curvatures of your corneas. This is a painless procedure that only takes a few minutes and creates a topographical map of your eye’s surface. After reviewing the measurement results, our doctors will have custom lenses designed especially for you. There are instances where you may need up to a series of three lenses to reach the desired prescription. When you initially begin wearing the lenses, you will likely recognize that the lenses are in place before falling asleep, but over time, the lenses become more comfortable, and you will no longer be aware that they are in your eyes.
Benefits
Aside from no longer having to worry about wearing traditional glasses or contacts during the daytime hours, there are many other benefits that our patients have shared with us in regard to Corneal Refractive Therapy:
Improved Image Sharpness and Clarity
The lenses used in Corneal Refractive Therapy are designed to modify your corneas by flattening the irregular curves. Upon doing this, the light rays that enter your eyes will be more evenly distributed, resulting in sharper images and clarity.
Instantaneous Effects
After the first night of wearing Ortho-K lenses, you will notice improved vision upon waking and removal. The Corneal Refractive Therapy results are not permanent, meaning you can stop using the lenses to transition back to traditional eyewear or get LASIK in the future.
Feeling of Normalcy
You are only required to wear the Ortho-K lenses at night while you sleep, meaning you will no longer have to worry about traditional eyewear. This allows you to go about your day with improved vision and an increased feeling of normalcy.
Enhanced Quality of Life
With Corneal Refractive Therapy, your quality of life will be improved as this procedure is very low risk compared to other corrective methods. You’ll be able to maintain your overall health, accomplish daily tasks more efficiently, and see the world more clearly.
Are You a Candidate?
Our doctors will determine whether you’re a good candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy during your annual comprehensive eye exam or pediatric eye exam. Candidates must have healthy eyes and be dependent on glasses or contacts. If you live an active lifestyle, play contact sports, or work in a dusty environment, Corneal Refractive Therapy is a wonderful procedure to consider. Unlike LASIK, the effects of corneal reshaping are temporary and have little risk involved. Candidates that choose Corneal Refractive Therapy can stop wearing the lenses should they decide to transition back to glasses or contacts.
Locations & Doctors
Art of Optiks has brought together a group of award-winning doctors that are passionate about providing each patient with excellent optical expertise and care. Here at Art of Optiks, our patients are our top priority, and we strive to deliver outstanding service and extensive education when it comes to their optical conditions. Our team creates transparent relationships with every patient, so they’re informed and comfortable every step of the way. With gratification and solidarity, our doctors will provide you with an outstanding optimal customer experience every time.
Art of Optiks currently has two locations offering a variety of services to our incredible patients. Our doctors, Timothy Haupert and Victoria Whitman, are located at offices in Wayzata and Edina, Minnesota.
