What is Myopia? from Paragon Vision Sciences on Vimeo.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a progressive visual disorder that results in poor distance vision. If the myopia is severe, it will impair near vision as well. Myopia is also known as “near-sighted” or “short-sighted.” In addition to weakening vision, it also changes the physical structure of the eye. It can steepen the front surface of the eye (cornea) and/or stretch the retina (axial elongation). These changes increase the risk of future eye disease (see The Dangers of Myopia). It is one of the leading causes of blindness around the world and has a direct association with retinal detachments and glaucoma.

Without treatment, children could fall behind in school, experience eyestrain and headaches, or face more serious future risks, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and blindness.

Protecting Your Child’s Potential with CRT Lenses

CRT, or Corneal Refractive Therapy, is a non-surgical option that helps correct nearsightedness without the daytime use of contacts or glasses. CRT lenses are worn at night, and correct the curvature of the cornea while sleeping so you can see clearly during the day.

Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) is a non-surgical solution for patients with myopia (nearsightedness) that uses specially designed contact lenses (like Paragon CRT lenses) to improve vision.

When worn overnight, Paragon CRT contact lenses gently corrects the curvature of the cornea, resulting in a corneal shape that focuses light correctly onto the retina. When removed in the morning, distant objects will come back into focus and patients can see clearly without the use of glasses or daytime contacts.

Could CRT Be Right for Me or My Child?

Myopia (nearsightedness) usually begins in childhood, as early as age 6. When left uncorrected, myopia can affect a child’s ability to learn and develop.

If you or your child suffers from any of the following symptoms of myopia, Paragon CRT contact lenses might be right for you:

  • Blurred vision when viewing distant objects
  • Frequent squinting and blinking
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty with nighttime driving
  • Needing to sit closer to the television or computer
  • Holding books and tablets uncomfortably close while reading
  • Falling behind in school