I just learned of this procedure called Corneal Refractive Therapy. Basically it is wearing contacts only at night which reshape your corneas (while you're sleeping) so that you can go without contacts or glasses during your waking hours.

I wondered if anyone has done this or knows someone who has. I'm wondering if it works and is worth the price. Thanks!

By Bobbie on Saturday, March 6, 2004 - 09:34 pm:

^^^ Bump^^^ I have never heard of this but I will move you back to the top so maybe someone else can reply...

By Feona on Sunday, March 7, 2004 - 07:15 am:

Is it hard contacts? Because they hurt!

By Livvy on Sunday, March 7, 2004 - 08:08 am:

Yes, it is hard contacts and that is one of my concerns...the possible pain!! But if they are worn at night, do they still hurt?

By Mommyof4 on Sunday, March 7, 2004 - 06:47 pm:

I was just researching this today. I think I am going to set up an appoint with a optometrist to talk about it. I do have the hard gas permeable lenses and they aren't as comfortable as they once were. I have terrible astigmatisms so I can't wear regular soft lenses and when I tried the toric lenses about 10 years ago they kept slipping off my eye and I absolutely HATE digging around in my eye to find that lens or even to take them out.

Let me know if you find anyone with first hand experience with them.

By Feona on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 11:44 am:

I tried something like this about 20 years ago. The hard contacts hurt so I didn't wear them.

By Kathym on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 12:40 pm:

I too wore the gas permeables for about 20 years and then they just became too uncomfortable. I've switched to soft but don't enjoy the sharp vision I had with the hard lenses. Now that im over 40 it is even worse because I am having a hard time reading with my lenses in. Let us know what you find out.

By Livvy on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 03:19 pm:

I called today and made a consultation appointment with the doctor near me who does this. I see him next Monday. It is about $1500 for the whole thing. That is really pricey but I would so love to not worry about glasses or contacts during the day anymore!! We'll see!!

By Mommyof4 on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 09:45 pm:

Wow 1,500 is a bit pricey. Let us know what you think. I already wear gas permeables during the day so I'm not sure I would really be gaining $1,500 worth of value from wearing something similar at night.

By Feona on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 08:35 am:

I wouldn't sign a contract. What if you can't wear the lenses? Can you buy the lenses one at a time?

I remember it was so uncomfortable. My eye would just water uncontrollable. It never got better. Like torture actually.

By Livvy on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 11:54 am:

I called the eye care office where I buy my contacts and asked them about this therapy and after talking with them, I will be cancelling my appointment for Monday!!

Feona - it sounds like the exact same thing you did 20 years ago. They brought it back recently and made no changes to it.

I was told that in the 80's it was used for people who needed a very short term eye fix. It was not recommended for any long term use. It was referred to as "corneal warping" back then and some of the people who tried it and didn't like the results had a 3-4 year period before they could see clearly again with their glasses. That is just not acceptable to me!! I'll keep my $1500 thank you!!

Thanks to everyone who responded!!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 01:59 pm:

I would vote against it myself.

However, I do know two people who had actual surgery to correct their vision - I can't think of the name of the procedure but it is advertised a lot - and they were both delighted with the results. They both had it at least 2-3 years ago and have had no problems. One of the places that does it in the Philadelphia area is the Laser Eye Center.

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 02:01 pm:

I think what Ginny is referring to is radial keratotomy.

By Livvy on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 03:15 pm:

Thanks for the suggestion Ginny!! I tried to have that done a few years back but I wasn't a good candidate because I have "thin corneas"!! The doctor would have done it but he couldn't guarantee results and I didn't want to take the chance. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that it's contacts forever for me!!

By Texannie on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 04:40 pm:

This site has alot of good info on it. You can also take a little quizz to see if you would be a candidate for lasik.