Arizona Optometrist Featured On TV with Revolutionary New Therapy for Children
CRT lenses worn overnight enable 20/20 vision and slow the progression of Myopia. This innovative therapy is discussed by Dr Babu of 20/20 Image Eye Centers, as featured on the local ABC news affiliate.
Online, January 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Can you imagine waking up in the morning and not having to wear contact lenses or glasses?
Dr. L. Thomas Babu, a Doctor of Optometry for 20/20 Image Eye Centers, which has four Arizona locations, recently appeared on an ABC 15 news segment where he explained a new state-of-the-art solution to combat childhood Myopia, perhaps better known as "nearsightedness" to patients.
A significant alternative to LASIK surgery, patients have their cornea measured by a computer, and special oxygen permeable contact lenses are created to be worn while sleeping, reshaping and flattening the cornea overnight.
Dr. Babu further explains Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) -- which is FDA approved for children ages 8 and above -- and its benefits. "The purpose of Orthokeratology aka CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) has 2 clinical benefits for children: 1) After the doctor designs the appropriate CRT "retainer" Lens for the patient, when it is worn at night, the patient will remove it in the morning and have 20/20 vision throughout the day. No need for glasses or contact lenses. 2) By wearing the CRT Retainer Lenses, studies have shown that it will slow the progression of their Myopia (nearsightedness) and ideally stop it completely. The retainer will reshape the front of the eye while they sleep so when it is removed in the morning, their vision will be corrected for the day. The lens therapy will 'retain' their vision daily."
Three separate clinical studies confirm the success of CRT. LORIC, a two-year pilot study of longitudinal orthokeratology research in children was performed on 35 youngsters 7-12 years old by the Department of Optometry & Radiography at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, China to determine whether CRT can control and reduce Myopia. The results proved fruitful, as the current children found their daytime vision minus glasses and contacts acceptable. The American Academy of Optometry performed two studies. The Contact Lens and Myopia Progressions (CLAMP) Study, fitted children with gas-permeable contact lenses for a period to determine adaptability. Four of five children aged 8- to 11-years-old were able to adapt to gas-permeable contact lenses, and further clarified the effect of the contact lenses on myopia progression in children. Finally, the Children's Overnight Orthokeratology Investigation (COOKI) Pilot Study was a 6-month case series performed by the American Academy of Optometry where 29 8 - 11-year-olds with Myopia were fitted with CRT lenses, and then were examined within one hour of awakening and about six hours later at one day, one week, two weeks, one month, three months, and six months after the initial night. None of the children had lasting adverse visual effects from contact lens wear during the study period. The end conclusion was overnight cornea-reshaping contact lenses are effective for young myopic patients, and no child had a serious adverse affect throughout the study.
For more information about 20/20 Image Eye Centers and an in-office or phone consultation for those wishing to discuss CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy), please contact Dr. L. Thomas Babu, O.D. at (480) 614-0055.
About 20/20 Image Eye Centers
20/20 Image Eye Centers has locations in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Tempe, and Chandler, Arizona. Please call (480) 614-0055 or visit www.2020image.com.
