Specialty contact lenses could be the myopia management solution you are looking for. Corneal Refractive Therapy, or CRT, works differently from traditional contact lenses because it is worn only while sleeping. Here are the answers to the questions we hear most often at our multiple locations.
What Is CRT (Orthokeratology)?
Corneal Refractive Therapy, also called orthokeratology or “ortho-k,” uses specially designed contact lenses that gently reshape the front surface of the eye while your child sleeps. The lenses are removed each morning, allowing most children to see clearly throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
CRT is one of several myopia management options available at OPMT Vision Centers. It is designed to help slow the progression of nearsightedness while giving children greater freedom during school, sports, and other daily activities.
How Does CRT Work?
The lenses are placed on the eyes before bedtime and worn overnight. While your child sleeps, the lenses gently reshape the cornea. By morning, the lenses are removed, and the change in corneal shape allows light to focus more clearly on the retina.
Because the treatment happens overnight, children can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without relying on glasses or contact lenses.
Will My Child Really See Clearly During the Day?
For many children, yes. After removing the lenses each morning, most patients experience clear vision throughout the day. Results vary depending on the child’s prescription and how consistently the lenses are worn, but many families appreciate the freedom of going through the day without glasses.
Is CRT Comfortable?
This is one of the first questions parents ask. CRT lenses are made from a rigid material, so children usually notice them the first time they are inserted. That initial awareness quickly becomes much less noticeable once the eyes are closed.
According to Dr. Richard Durocher, he has never had a child report losing sleep because of CRT lens awareness. Most children adjust within a short period and quickly become comfortable with the nightly routine.
How Young Can Children Start CRT?
Every child is different, but many begin CRT around six years of age. Younger children often receive extra help from their parents while learning how to insert and remove the lenses. With guidance and practice, most families establish a routine that becomes part of the bedtime schedule.
Our eye doctor will determine whether CRT is appropriate during your child’s eye exam based on your child’s prescription, eye health, and overall maturity.
Will My Child Still Need Glasses with CRT?
Children receiving CRT usually do not need glasses or daytime contact lenses during normal daily activities.
We still recommend keeping a backup pair of glasses. If your child becomes sick, develops an eye infection, or temporarily stops wearing their lenses, those glasses provide clear vision until CRT treatment resumes.
How Long Will My Child Need CRT?
CRT helps manage myopia while children are growing. The goal is to slow the progression of nearsightedness during the years when prescriptions typically change the fastest. Once those growth years have passed, some patients continue wearing CRT because they enjoy clear daytime vision. Others transition back to traditional glasses or contact lenses.
Our goal is to keep your child’s prescription as close as possible to where it was when treatment began.
Why Should I Choose an Eye Doctor With CRT Experience?
Experience plays an important role because every eye is unique. Our eye doctors have more than two decades of hands-on experience providing CRT. Dr. Richard Durocher was one of the earliest clinical investigators for Paragon CRT in North America and continues to participate in clinical research involving myopia management.
This depth of experience allows for highly customized lens fittings, careful follow-up care, and treatment plans tailored to each child’s eyes. Those factors help support successful long-term outcomes and are part of what makes OPMT Vision Centers a trusted destination for myopia management throughout Middle Tennessee.
Get CRT at OPMT Vision Centers
Choosing a myopia management treatment is an important decision for every family. Our eye doctors take time to explain each option, answer your questions, and recommend the approach that best fits your child’s vision and lifestyle.
If your child’s prescription continues to change or you would like to learn whether CRT is the right choice, schedule your child’s consultation with OPMT Vision Centers. Early treatment can help protect your child’s vision for years to come.
Corneal Refractive Therapy FAQs
Is CRT the same as ortho-k?
CRT is one type of orthokeratology, often called ortho-k. Both use specially designed overnight lenses to gently reshape the cornea and provide clear daytime vision.
What happens if my child skips wearing the lenses?
The cornea gradually returns to its natural shape, and blurry distance vision returns. Wearing the lenses consistently helps maintain clear daytime vision.
Does CRT permanently correct myopia?
CRT temporarily reshapes the cornea while helping slow myopia progression during childhood. The treatment must be continued to maintain its daytime vision benefits.