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FAQ's
CRT - Corneal Refractive Therapy 
    • What is CRT?
      • CRT is a designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lens used in Corneal Refractive Therapy. Corneal Refractive Therapy is a sophisticated, non-surgical process, which reshapes the cornea while you sleep. You remove the lenses when you awake and are able to go throughout the day without any other correction.
    • Can everyone wear CRT lenses?
      • Not everyone can wear CRT lenses. This lens is designed for individuals with low to moderate myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism (up to –1.75 diopters). CRT therapeutic lenses are not yet available in bifocal prescriptions for presbyopia (which requires reading glasses or bifocals).

        Depending on your needs, you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision). You might still need reading glasses. However, since there are variations in patient physiology and visual needs, the decision for CRT, at any age, can only be made after a thorough eye exam. At this time, hyperopia (farsightedness) is not correctable with CRT.

        The FDA placed no age restrictions on candidates for Corneal Refractive Therapy with CRT lenses.
        CRT is being successfully performed on children 12 years old and younger. It can be a great option for children and teens that are active in sports activities or any other extra curricular activities.
    • Are there any risks involved with wearing CRT lenses?
      • There is a small risk involved when any contact lens is worn. It is not expected that the CRT lenses for contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy will provide a risk that is greater than other contact lenses. There were no serious adverse events reported in the CRT FDA clinical study.
    • Can I see with my CRT lenses in?
      • Yes. One of the great features of the CRT lens is that if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you will be able to see where you are going. Or, if during the initial treatment phase, you find you need some form of vision correction, you can put in your CRT lenses and see clearly.
    • How often will I have to replace my CRT lenses?
      • Generally speaking the CRT lenses will have to be replaced once a year. However, depending on factors such as protein build-up, how well the lenses are taken care of, etc., the lenses may have to be replaced more frequently.
    • What is the cost for CRT lenses?
      • The cost of CRT lenses are less than any surgical procedure and a little more than the average person spends on yearly expenses related to contact lenses or glasses.
    • Will I still need a "Visual Restriction" on my driver's license?
      • We will supply you with a document that states you are participating in a visual therapy program that eliminates the need for corrective lenses during working hours. The document should have an expiration date and you should have your driver's license updated with a new vision screening through your local DMV office to reflect this change, before the expiration date.
    • I suffer from "Dry Eyes", Can I have CRT?
      • Probably, but we can only determine this through a thorough eye exam. Many patients with dry eyes do well with CRT. Since you are wearing the lenses only while sleeping, the closed eye state minimizes evaporative loss of tears and can give dry-eye patients suitable vision without compromising the ocular surface.
    • Is CRT permanent?
      • After treatment and maximum results are achieved, retainer lenses are worn to stabilize the new corneal shape. Failure to wear the retainer lens on an ongoing basis will result in the return to the pre-existing prescription. Retainers may be prescribed during day or night.

Dempster Eye Center 7174 Dempster St Morton Grove, IL 60053 Phone: (847) 470-1115

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