SPECIALTY CARE

Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT)

CRT is an FDA approved method of eliminating or reducing nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. It involves using specially designed vision retainer lenses to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea). The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to gently reshape teeth. The vision retainers are similar to contact lenses and are usually worn at night while sleeping. They are then removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses! The retainers are comfortable and very easy to care for.

There are many benefits of children not wearing glasses or contacts. With CRT you don't have to worry about whether or not your child can see during the day or be concerned with lost or broken glasses. No more lost contact lenses from athletic activity, no more dry and irritated eyes due to contact lens wear and you don't have to think twice about water sports!

The most exciting benefit is the prospect of the ability to slow down the progression of nearsightedness. Studies have been completed and more are in the process of being done that show encouraging results of this procedure limiting the amount of myopia progression from year to year. Now we have a positive answer to the question: "Can anything be done to help stop my child's prescription from getting stronger every year?"

CRT is a great alternative to glasses and/or traditional contact lenses for children and adults. We can fit people ages 8 years and above. The first step to checking if you or your child is a candidate for this procedure is to schedule a no-fee consultation. At that visit we will determine you or your child's precise corneal shape using a topographer and determine if the eyes are healthy enough for CRT lens wear. It will also give us a chance to discuss the process and answer all of your questions about CRT.

Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)

The visual evoked potential or VEP directly measures the activity of neurons in the visual system. It is a very useful technology that is now available to help us determine how your eye talks to your brain in a way that no other instrument, computer or test can. Here are some common questions and answers about the VEP.

Q: What is the VEP procedure used for?
A: The VEP is used primarily to determine how well each eye sends its signals through the optic nerve to the brain. This is important information in amblyopia, strabismus, and suspected neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Q: How is the VEP recorded?
A: The VEP is the visual version of the EEG (electroencephalogram), and is recorded with three electrodes that are briefly pasted to the front, middle and back of the head. It is non-invasive and very safe.

Q: How much time does the VEP take?
A: About 40 minutes total, though obtaining the recordings once we're ready is a matter of only 10 or 20 second of looking at a checkerboard pattern on a screen for each recording.

Q: What if my child can't pay attention?
A: There are cartoon pictures that we interpose to help. Sometimes an assistant will tap the screen. In fact, there is a version of the VEP that we use to help evaluate infants. Features of the VEP can even give us objective information about visual attention.

Q: Is there any special preparation needed?
A: It helps to get a good night's sleep before, and to shampoo the hair before coming in. We clean a few areas of the scalp carefully before applying the electrodes with some paste, so the scalp is a little sticky when we're done.

Q: What is the fee the VEP, and does insurance pay for it?
A: The fee is $450 and includes preparation for recording, the procedure itself, analysis of the results, and a printout of the results. The patient pays our office directly and we submit the procedure to your medical carrier for you to be reimbursed. Many carriers do reimburse for this procedure.

Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT)

Visual Evoked Potential Ê(VEP) - Testing for Detection of Various Visual Disorders