Corneal reshaping therapy (CRT) is a non-surgical procedure that re-shapes your cornea while you sleep, so that you can see clearly without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Imagine waking up and seeing clearly all day with the freedom of no glasses. No more rain drops on lenses or irritation from long day wear in soft contact lenses. This is all achieved by placing a retainer lens (rigid contact lens) on the eye before sleep. This gently reshapes the top layer of the cornea, so that when the retainer lenses are removed on waking, the patient enjoys clear unaided vision. These lenses usually need to be worn six out of seven nights.

The therapy involves a number of thorough consultations with our optometrists, who will determine the shape of the cornea, by using a medical imaging device called a corneal topographer.  This contour map allows the optometrist to calculate the unique contact lens that will gently reshape the front surface of your eye to temporarily correct your myopia (shortsightedness) and/or astigmatism. The effect is fully reversible if the overnight wearing of the retainer lenses is ceased for more than two nights.

The concept of corneal reshaping therapy (CRT) has been around for a long time, as far back as 1962.  Modern imaging technology and years of experience and safety testing has allowed the technique to be refined so that it is now a great alternative to corrective laser surgery for myopia. It is also a great alternative to patients who have problems with day-time contact lenses due to discomfort, redness or dryness as it provides freedom from contact lenses.

Importantly corneal reshaping therapy can slow down the progression of myopia (shortsightedness) in children. Children’s myopia typically progresses maximally when they have their growth spurts between nine and sixteen years of age. Wearing of CRT lenses in this period can slow down this progression.

If you would like to assess your suitability for CRT, please contact our practice reception staff.