Ortho-K/CRT

Correct Your Vision, While You Sleep

Traditional eyeglasses and contacts can do an excellent job of corrective refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), but some people are less than happy wearing any kind of corrective lens all day long. If you’re one of these people, you should know about a special type of contact lens that actually corrects your vision as you sleep. This advanced form of eye care is known as orthokeratology, or “Ortho-K” for short, and you can get it right here at The Plano Eye Care Center.

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ortho-k nightime vision correction

How Does Ortho-K Work?

Many vision problems are caused by abnormal eye shape or corneal configuration that prevents light from being refracted and directed toward the retina accurately. These refractive errors not only include nearsightedness and farsightedness, but also astigmatism (areas of irregular corneal curvature) and presbyopia (a combination of nearsightedness and farsightedness that primarily afflicts people over 40).

For centuries, the only means of treatment available was corrective lenses that compensated for the refractive errors. In recent decades, laser surgery presented another option for people who didn’t want to bother with lenses at all. Ortho-K offers lens-free convenience without having to undergo surgery.

Ortho-K lenses are gas permeable contact lenses designed to be worn all night while you sleep. These specially-crafted lenses temporarily correct the shape of your corneas so that when you wake up and take them out, you continue to see with at least 20/40 (and ideally, 20/20) visual acuity.

Ortho-K Contact Lenses

The Benefits of Orthokeratology

  • The vision correction typically lasts 2 or more days, meaning that you don’t necessarily have to wear the Ortho-K lenses to bed every night
  • If you have myopia, wearing Ortho-K lenses regularly might slow the progress of your nearsightedness
  • Ortho-K lenses cost considerably less than LASIK surgery, and the effects reverse themselves naturally
  • Ortho-K makes a great alternative for athletes or other active Plano residents who don’t want to worry about losing or damaging their corrective lenses

Ortho-K and CRT

CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) is a specific brand of Ortho-K lens approved by the FDA to reshape the cornea and correct vision temporarily, usually during the day, when the lenses are not being worn. At The Plano Eye Care Center, we can help you determine if CRT is right for you.

Is Ortho-K Right For Me?

Orthokeratology is most widely recommended for nearsighted patients, but some kinds of Ortho-K lenses can also correct for mild astigmatism, hyperopia and even presbyopia. It should be noted that orthokeratology isn’t necessarily for everybody. If you have a strong corrective lens prescription, dry eye syndrome or unusually large pupils, you may not be good candidate for Ortho-K. The best way to know for sure is to schedule an evaluation at The Plano Eye Care Center.

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Why Choose Plano Eye Care Center for Ortho-K Lenses?

Choosing the right provider for Orthokeratology is a big decision. Because Ortho-K involves specialized lens fitting to reshape the cornea, it requires a level of precision and expertise that goes beyond a standard contact lens exam. Here’s why families in Plano trust their vision to us:

Specialized Expertise

Our lead optometrist, Dr. Gulrez Khoja, is a dedicated Member of the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (AAOMC). This isn’t just a title; it signifies a commitment to the highest standards of clinical care and staying at the forefront of myopia management research.

A Dream Team of Doctors

With Dr. Khoja and Dr. Sherry Cui, you aren’t just getting a lens fitting; you’re gaining access to a wealth of combined experience. Our doctors have successfully managed countless Ortho-K cases, from active children to adults looking for freedom from daytime glasses. We understand the nuances of corneal topography and custom-design each treatment plan to fit your unique eye shape.

Advanced Diagnostic Technology

We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach. Our clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art corneal mapping technology. This allows us to:
Create 3D maps of your eye’s surface for a truly custom fit.
Monitor progress with extreme precision to ensure your eyes remain healthy.
Adjust treatments proactively as your vision stabilizes.

Personalized, Compassionate Care

We know that the idea of “reshaping the cornea” can sound intimidating, especially for parents. We pride ourselves on our patient education. From the first consultation to your follow-up appointments, we walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable with your Ortho-K journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ortho-K

“Ortho K” stands for orthokeratology, a technique for reshaping the corneas during sleep. This process may also be referred to as corneal reshaping or Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). Specialized contact lenses are worn at bedtime, acting as molds that correct for refractive errors overnight. When you wake up, you can remove the lenses and enjoy clear daytime vision free of corrective lenses.

Unlike regular contact lenses which simply sit on the eye and aid in the refraction of incoming light, Ortho-K lenses actually exert a small, safe amount of pressure on the corneal tissue. This pressure is designed to compensate for your eye’s particular refractive error with a great degree of accuracy.

The clarity of vision may have different durations for different people, since no two pairs of eyes are exactly alike. But many people enjoy several days of corrected vision at a time. Once you know how long the effect lasts for you, you can simply schedule the overnight wearing of the lenses to ensure continuous visual clarity.

Going through the day without having to wear corrective lenses can be advantageous for many reasons. Perhaps you simply don’t like how you look in glasses, or you hate having to insert or remove daytime contacts. Ortho-K also makes sense for active individuals worried about broken glasses or dislodged contacts.

LASIK may be reasonably safe and successful, but there’s always a risk of side effects and complications, and not everyone is a candidate for eye surgery. The results are also permanent, for better or worse. Ortho-K lets you skip the surgery while also being completely reversible; all you have to do is stop using the lenses.

Ortho-K can correct farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia up to a point, but it’s best at correcting nearsightedness. In fact, Ortho-K can actually slow the progress of myopia in children, making it a great option for your child once he/she is old enough to tolerate lense-wear.

Experience clear daytime vision without corrective lenses. For more information about Ortho-K/CRT lenses, contact The Plano Eye Care Center.