Myopia Management in Tennessee
One of the specialty treatments our experienced physicians provide is myopia management, which we offer in the form of several different services. These methods don’t “cure” nearsightedness, but have been shown to halt its progression in children.
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What is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive condition that causes poor vision. Myopia occurs when the cornea, or the front of the eye, is too curved, so it doesn’t focus light onto the retina properly. A nearsighted person can see objects clearly up close, while objects in the distance appear blurry.
Although there is no cure for myopia, it can be treated with prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, and even corrected through LASIK surgery in adults. However, nearsightedness is becoming increasingly common among children, who require stronger and stronger prescriptions as they grow.
Severe degrees of myopia can predispose individuals to eye problems such as retinal detachments, and higher prescriptions cost more to fix with laser eye surgery. However, research has shown that several methods can help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, which can help keep their prescription relatively low and reduce their chances of developing myopia-related conditions.
Myopia Management Methods
Our trusted eye doctors provide several myopia management services, including the use of atropine drops, multifocal lenses, and orthokeratology (or Ortho-K).
Multifocal Lenses
Myopia is most commonly managed with prescription eyewear like glasses or contact lenses, but multifocal lenses can actually stop nearsightedness from worsening. Multifocal lenses change the eye’s focusing power when transitioning between near and far vision, which can help stall myopia’s progression.
Ortho-K for Myopia Management
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a therapy akin to “braces for the eyes” and will effectively halt the progression of myopia in children and can even provide temporary nearsightedness correction in adults. Like LASIK, it reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive issue that causes nearsightedness, but without the need for surgery.
Ortho-K uses specialty contact lenses, worn every night to gently reshape the cornea as you sleep. They are then removed in the morning, providing temporary vision correction that lasts during the day. The best candidates for Ortho-K are children under the age of 16 whose prescriptions have been steadily worsening and who have nearsighted parents.
FAQs About CRT Lenses (Orthokeratology)
What are CRT lenses, and how do they help with my child’s nearsightedness?
Are CRT lenses safe for children to wear every night?
Will my child still need to wear glasses or contacts during the day?
How do CRT lenses slow myopia progression?
What’s the difference between CRT lenses and regular contact lenses?
How long does it take to see results with CRT lenses?
Some children notice clearer vision after just one night. Most experience full correction within a few days to a week. Your child’s eye doctor will closely monitor the fit and visual progress during this early adjustment period.
How experienced is your practice with CRT lenses?
Our practice has over two decades of hands-on experience with CRT.
Dr. Richard Durocher was one of the earliest CRT clinical investigators in North America and is among the most experienced practitioners providing this service today. That depth of experience allows for highly customized fittings and close long-term monitoring—key factors in successful outcomes.
Why does practitioner experience matter with CRT?
CRT success relies heavily on precise lens design, fitting, and follow-up care.
With Dr. Richard Durocher’s extensive background—including his role as an early clinical investigator—patients benefit from decades of refinement, advanced troubleshooting skills, and proven treatment protocols.
How long has Dr. Durocher been working with CRT lenses?
Dr. Richard Durocher was one of the original clinical investigators in the early 2000s when CRT was first being studied and introduced. That means he has been involved with this technology from the very beginning and has more than 20 years of direct experience fitting and managing CRT patients.
Ortho-K for Adults
Orthokeratology can also be used to provide temporary vision correction in nearsighted adults. If you are seeking freedom from glasses and daily contact lens wear, Ortho-K lenses reshape your cornea overnight for clear vision during the day, but they must be worn every night; long-term Ortho-K will not affect your vision prescription once you stop using them.
However, Ortho-K for adults is a non-invasive and reversible alternative to refractive surgeries such as LASIK and PRK, and may be an option for individuals who aren’t candidates for a laser vision correction procedure. When you come to OPMT Vision Centers for your consultation, we’ll determine whether or not Ortho-K would be a good fit for your eye structure, vision needs, and lifestyle.
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Tennessee Myopia Management
There are a variety of ways to correct nearsightedness, but if your child’s prescription is getting worse and worse every year, it may be time to consider addressing myopia before it progresses further. To schedule an appointment at your nearest OPMT Vision Center, call us today.