Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is the most frequently occurring eye problem in the world. Since the 1950s, the prevalence of nearsightedness in human populations has grown to the point that the consensus among public health professionals is nearsightedness is a health epidemic.1
Thankfully, despite the alarming increase of nearsightedness, there have also never been more advanced treatment options for the condition. Standard corrective lenses have been around for many decades, and they are effective at managing vision loss. However, traditional corrective lenses don’t combat vision loss in the same way that new technologies, like Paragon CRT® contact lenses do.
LASIK Eye Surgery
Most people are familiar with laser eye surgery or LASIK, which works to correct the most common vision problems, including myopia, hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK has been performed on millions of people and generally has a good track record of success.
Not everyone with vision issues is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Laser eye surgery is not approved for patients under age 18.
CRT Lenses Can Offer Treatment of Myopia
Luckily, there is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that is just as simple as having corrective lenses but offers the additional advantage of actually temporarily correcting the source of the problem. The procedure is called orthokeratology or “ortho-k” for short. Ortho-k uses gas-permeable corneal refractive therapy lenses (CRT) to gently alter the curvature of the cornea to correct nearsightedness and some forms of astigmatism. As a therapy for myopia, it is highly effective and also reversible.2
A leading alternative to laser eye surgery, Paragon CRT lenses were developed by Paragon Vision Sciences in the 1990s and received FDA approval in 2002.3 Since that time, Paragon Vision Sciences has soldmillions of Paragon CRT® lenses worldwide.4 Also, children as young as 6 years old can be acceptable candidates for ortho-k.5
In addition to being a reversible procedure, the use of Paragon CRT® lenses also has the big advantage of allowing for modifications.6 Optometrists who are certified to offer Paragon CRT® lenses can adjust and replace lenses to achieve maximum results for their patients.
And possibly the best part is that Paragon CRT lenses are only worn at night, while you sleep, meaning you are lens-free all day long to enjoy sports and other activities without the hassle of glasses or daytime contacts. With continued overnight use, your vision should become more focused, and the clarity should last longer as your cornea shape gently changes. Here is what you can Expect When You Begin CRT Treatment.
If you are interested in an effective alternative to laser eye surgery and would like to know more about how Paragon CRT Contact Lenses can help manage your nearsightedness or mild astigmatism, you can ask your optometrist if he or she is a Certified Paragon CRT® Contact Lenses Provider, or you can find a certified eyecare professional in your area with Paragon’s online locator tool.
Blog Sources:
- 1 - Brien Holden Institute data on file, 2010
- 2 - Vitale S, Sperduto RD, Ferris FL 3rd. Increased Prevalence of Myopia in the U.S. between 1971-1972 and 1999-2004. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Dec;127(12):1632-9. PubMed
- 3 - FDA Clinical Study, 2002
- 4 -Internet Search/FDA Approval Letter (FDA.gov.PMA)
- 5 - Data on file, Paragon Vision Sciences, 2017
- 6 - *On labeling approved by FDA
- 7 - FDA Clinical Study, 2002