Starting any new vision treatment can come with questions, especially when it involves something as different as sleeping in contact lenses. If you’re considering corneal refractive therapy, your CRT consultation is where everything begins. This first appointment is designed to assess your eyes, answer your questions, and help determine whether CRT is the right choice for you or your child.
Knowing what to expect during this visit can make the process smoother and help you feel more confident moving forward.
What Is CRT and Why People Choose It
CRT, or Corneal Refractive Therapy, uses specially designed gas-permeable lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Adjusting the eye’s curvature while you sleep corrects nearsightedness (myopia), allowing for clear vision throughout the day. It benefits children with progressive myopia and is an excellent option for adults seeking freedom from glasses or contacts.
Inside the CRT Consultation
Your CRT consultation is designed to assess your eligibility and build a custom-fit solution for your eyes. It includes detailed testing, measurements, and expert guidance.
Eye Health Evaluation
The process begins with a comprehensive eye exam. Your optometrist will review your vision needs and check for conditions that could affect CRT lens wear. This includes assessing corneal shape, tear film quality, and overall eye health.
Corneal Topography and Mapping
Corneal topography is a central part of the CRT consultation. This painless imaging technique maps the surface of your eye in fine detail. The result is a digital blueprint of your cornea, essential for designing lenses that fit your eyes perfectly and safely reshaping them overnight.
Fitting Your CRT Lenses
Once you’ve determined that CRT is the right path for your vision correction, the next crucial step is the precise fitting of your custom lenses. This phase ensures effective and comfortable treatment, setting the stage for clear daytime vision.
Custom Lens Design
With the topography data, your optometrist creates a unique lens design tailored to your cornea’s shape. This ensures comfort, safety, and the best visual outcome. During the consultation, they’ll explain the reshaping process and what results to expect.
Lens Insertion and Removal Training
Once your lenses arrive, you’ll return for a contact lens fitting session. You’ll try on the lenses so your doctor can check their fit and alignment. You’ll also receive one-on-one instruction on how to insert, remove, and care for them properly. Learning proper hygiene and handling is crucial to long-term success.
What Happens After Your Fitting?
Once your custom CRT lenses are fitted and you’ve received training on their use, the journey to clear daytime vision continues with an adjustment period and ongoing monitoring.
Adjusting to Overnight Wear
Most people get used to sleeping in CRT lenses within a few nights. While you may initially feel the lenses slightly, discomfort typically fades quickly. As your corneas adjust, you’ll notice clearer vision during the day without needing glasses or standard contacts.
Follow-Up Visits
CRT isn’t a one-time process—it requires monitoring. Your optometrist will schedule follow-up visits to track your progress and make any needed changes. These appointments help confirm that the lenses are reshaping your corneas correctly and that your vision is improving as expected.
Taking the Next Step
A CRT consultation is the first and most crucial step in your vision correction journey. From high-resolution imaging to custom-fitted lenses, each stage is built around precision and personalized care. Whether you’re exploring options for your child or yourself, CRT offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional eyewear.
If you’re ready to experience clearer vision without daytime contacts or glasses, contact Art of Optiks today.
