Corneal Refractive Shoreview
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All You Need to Know
Art of Optiks provides an innovative alternative to traditional glasses for you or your family members. Our committed team of specialists focuses on enhancing daily life through advanced vision solutions. While LASIK remains a highly effective option, we also offer Corneal Refractive Therapy as a versatile, non-surgical solution for patients of all ages. This method gently reshapes the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without permanently altering your eyes, while allowing for an easy transition back to glasses or even LASIK if desired.
At Art of Optiks, we are devoted to ensuring your comfort and visual clarity throughout your daily activities. If you are considering Corneal Refractive Therapy near Shoreview, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled specialists. During this personalized visit, we thoroughly examine your eyes and take the time to understand your lifestyle and vision preferences. Drawing from our extensive experience in eye care, we guide you through a detailed and supportive process to meet all your Corneal Refractive Therapy goals.
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), also referred to as Orthokeratology or Ortho-K, is a non-surgical approach to temporarily reshape the cornea and improve vision. This therapy uses custom-fit, gas-permeable lenses worn overnight to subtly adjust the eye’s curvature, allowing for clear daytime vision without the use of glasses or contacts.
Primarily used for nearsightedness (myopia) and sometimes astigmatism, CRT involves wearing specialized lenses each night while you sleep. Upon removal in the morning, your vision is noticeably improved. A comprehensive eye exam conducted by our experienced doctors determines if CRT is suitable for you, and we select lenses tailored to your unique prescription and eye shape.
Children and Teenagers
For children, adjusting to glasses can be challenging, and parents often worry about worsening myopia over time. Corneal Refractive Therapy provides a practical solution, helping to slow or prevent further progression of nearsightedness. Studies show CRT can reduce the degree of vision loss in children compared to conventional glasses or contacts.
Teen athletes, especially those playing contact sports like football or hockey, may benefit from CRT as it allows them to perform without the discomfort or risk of glasses or contacts. Our doctors carefully evaluate growing eyes to ensure CRT is both safe and effective, providing clear vision for school, sports, and everyday activities.
Adults
Adults who want to live without glasses or contacts during the day will find CRT especially advantageous. It is ideal for active lifestyles, outdoor hobbies, or occupations where traditional eyewear may be inconvenient. Activities such as swimming, skiing, biking, or golfing can be enjoyed without obstruction.
For adults with dry eyes, allergies, or other sensitivities, CRT offers a comfortable alternative to conventional contact lenses. It provides a consistent, clear vision while allowing patients to fully participate in daily routines and hobbies without the limitations of glasses or contacts.
What to Expect
Once our specialists confirm your eligibility for CRT, a corneal topographer will be used to map the shape of your corneas. This painless, quick procedure creates a detailed surface map that guides the creation of your custom lenses. In some cases, multiple lenses may be necessary to achieve the optimal correction.
Initially, you may notice the lenses in your eyes before sleep, but they quickly become comfortable and unobtrusive. With nightly use, CRT becomes a simple, effective part of your routine.
Benefits
Beyond freedom from glasses or daytime contacts, many of our patients report added benefits with Corneal Refractive Therapy. It’s often more comfortable for those with dry eyes or allergies and offers clear vision during sports and active hobbies.
Teens gain confidence without glasses, and parents appreciate their ability to slow myopia progression in children. For adults, it’s a safe, non-surgical alternative to LASIK that fits easily into daily life.
Improved Image Sharpness and Clarity
Corneal Refractive Therapy lenses are carefully designed to reshape irregular curves on the surface of the cornea. By gently evening out these areas, the lenses help light enter the eye more evenly, leading to sharper, clearer vision throughout the day.
Instantaneous Effects
After removing the Ortho-K lenses the morning following your first night, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your vision. Keep in mind that the results of Corneal Refractive Therapy are not permanent, giving you the flexibility to stop using the lenses at any time and return to glasses or even consider LASIK in the future. This adaptability allows you to make vision correction decisions based on your changing needs and preferences.
Feeling of Normalcy
Ortho-K lenses are worn exclusively overnight while you sleep, so you can enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. This gives you the freedom to go about your daily activities with enhanced clarity, all without the hassle of traditional eyewear.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Improve your quality of life with Corneal Refractive Therapy, a safer alternative to other vision correction methods. Experience better overall health, enhanced efficiency in daily tasks, and a clearer view of the world, all with reduced risks.
Are You a Candidate?
Eligibility for CRT is assessed during a comprehensive or pediatric eye exam. Ideal candidates have healthy eyes and currently use glasses or contacts. CRT is particularly beneficial for those with active lifestyles, involvement in contact sports, or work in dusty or challenging environments.
Unlike LASIK, CRT is temporary and fully reversible. Patients can discontinue lens use at any time and return to glasses or contacts, making it a safe and flexible option for children, teens, and adults.
Locations & Doctors
Art of Optiks is home to a team of award-winning doctors dedicated to delivering exceptional eye care. Our patients always come first, and we provide clear, comprehensive guidance for every vision concern. By fostering open, trusting relationships, our doctors ensure that each patient feels informed, comfortable, and confident. Every visit combines professional expertise with personalized attention, creating an unmatched optical experience.
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.
