What is Paragon CRT®?
Paragon CRT is a specially designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lens used in Corneal Refractive Therapy. Corneal Refractive Therapy is a sophisticated, non-surgical process, which reshapes the cornea while you sleep. You remove the lenses when you awake and are able to go throughout the day without any other correction.

How new is Paragon CRT?
Contact lens corneal reshaping is not a new concept. Previous corneal reshaping designs were only as successful as technology allowed. Paragon Vision Sciences has taken the recent advancements in computerized corneal mapping, computerized manufacturing, and oxygen permeable contact lens materials and produced a therapeutic contact lens design that is like no other. This has allowed Paragon CRT to become the one corneal reshaping modality that truly stands out and the first to earn FDA approval for nighttime Corneal Refractive Therapy.

How experienced is Dr. Martin with CRT?
Dr. Martin was the first Certified Paragon CRT Practitioner in Southern Arizona, and has been prescribing and managing CRT patients since FDA approval. Dr. Martin has consulted with CRT patients living as far east as El Paso, Texas, as far west as San Diego California, as far south as Sonora, Mexico, and as far North as the Phoenix Metro Area, Arizona. In addition, he has consulted with on CRT cases with other doctors from across the Southwest United States, and with other international patients who are traveling to Tucson on vacation or business. Post refractive surgery LASIK and RK patients, who have had poor outcomes, and are seeking second opinions and specialized contact lens fittings for corneal rehabilitation, also consult with Dr. Martin regularly.

He was interviewed by Martha Vasquez, of Channel 4 KVOA, on February 6, 2003's "4 Your Health" news segment, which looked at CRT as a "growing alternative to LASIK", and was consulted on a KGUN 9 News at Noon segment on CRT / Ortho Keratology.

Prior to FDA Approval of CRT, Dr. Martin prescribed other prior corneal molding procedures such as Ortho Keratology as an ongoing part of his practice since 1992. In addition, Dr. Martin previously served as Clinical Director for TLC's Arlington (Dallas) Laser Vision Correction Center, managing thousands of LASIK cases, and as such is uniquely qualified to compare the CRT treatment option with LASIK and other surgical procedures.

Is Corneal Refractive Therapy Permanent?
No. It's temporary. If you stop wearing the lenses regularly while you sleep, your vision will return to its original state in as little as 72 hours.

Can everyone wear Paragon CRT?
Not everyone can wear Paragon CRT. This lens is designed for individuals with low to moderate myopia (nearsightedness up to -6.00 diopters) with or without astigmatism (up to -1.75 diopters). Paragon CRT therapeutic lenses are not yet available in bifocal prescriptions for presbyopia (which requires reading glasses or bifocals). In consultation with Dr. Martin, you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision). You might still need reading glasses. However, since there are variations in patient physiology and visual needs, the decision for CRT, at any age, can only be made after a thorough eye exam and the recommendations of Dr. Martin. At this time, hyperopia (farsightedness) is not correctable with CRT.

How long does it take to reach good vision?
Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of treatment and achieve nearly their optimum vision in 2 to 4 weeks.

What do I do to see adequately in the period of time between when I start Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT and when I achieve full treatment?
It's important to understand that for a time after you have begun treatment, but before sufficient treatment is realized, your old glasses or contacts will no longer be the appropriate prescription. It may involve insertion of your Paragon CRT lenses for part of the day or some use of temporary soft lenses in different prescriptions as an option. Dr. Martin will discuss your options for visual correction during that transitional period of time.

Are there any risks involved with wearing Paragon CRT?
There is a small risk involved when any contact lens is worn. It is not expected that the Paragon CRT lenses for contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy will provide a risk that is greater than other contact lenses. There were no adverse events reported in the Paragon CRT FDA clinical study, and Dr. Martin has not seen any adverse effects in his patients to date.

Can I see with my Paragon CRT lenses in?
Yes. One of the great features of the Paragon CRT lens is that if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you will be able to see where you are going. Or if during the initial treatment phase you find you need some form of vision correction, you can put in your Paragon CRT lenses and see clearly.

How do I care for my Paragon CRT lenses?
Your lenses should be chemically disinfected after every use (not heat). Dr. Martin will instruct you about which care system is best for you.

How much does Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT cost?
The cost for your initial fitting, professional care, follow-up and Paragon CRT therapeutic lenses varies depending on the complexity of your case, and what payment option you choose. After your first year, the annual cost of CRT is about the same as wearing contact lenses or glasses. Clear View Vision Care also offers optional payment plans, which we will be happy to review with you.

Is Corneal Refractive Therapy painful?
The therapy is not painful. Initially, you may have a slight awareness of the therapeutic lens. You will not feel the lenses when you sleep and there is no sense of physical corneal change…. just visual improvement when the lenses are removed.

Is Corneal Refractive Therapy or Paragon CRT FDA approved?
Paragon CRT is the first therapeutic lens design approved by the FDA for overnight contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy for the temporary reduction of myopia. Paragon Vision Sciences, the manufacturer of Paragon CRT, received the final written approval on June 13, 2002. The issuance of this approval is the culmination of the most extensive clinical study to date to establish the safety and efficacy of contact lens corneal reshaping in overnight use.

What is the difference between Corneal Refractive Therapy and Paragon CRT?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is the process of using a therapeutic contact lens to reduce myopia by reshaping the corneal surface while you sleep. Paragon CRT is the product for this therapy.

Are there age restrictions for Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT?
No. The FDA placed no age restrictions on candidates for Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT. CRT is being successfully performed on children 12 years old and younger, and Dr. Martin has fit patients as young as 7 years old to date. It can be a great option for children and teens that are active in sports activities or any other extra curricular activities. Those who are older and presbyopic (requiring reading glasses or bifocals) may still be candidates for CRT. They may correct their distance vision with CRT and wear near vision glasses for close work. In consultation with Dr. Martin, you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision). Visual requirements due to age or activities can only be assessed after a thorough eye exam. Dr. Martin will recommend what is best for you.

Are the Paragon CRT lenses difficult to insert or remove?
These lenses are generally no more difficult to insert or remove than any other similar contact lens modality. You may want to instill comfort or rewetting drops prior to insertion of the lenses and immediately upon waking. The lenses must move freely prior to removal. If you have difficulty removing the Paragon CRT lens, there are lens removal aids available to assist this process.

If I discontinue CRT, will my vision to return to normal?
There are no recorded permanent corneal changes post-treatment. Generally, the more myopia being reduced, the longer it will take for the corneal curvature to return to normal. For instance, if your pretreated correction was - 4.50D, it would take a few days longer to return to normal than if the pretreated correction was -1.50D.

My driver's license is marked that I need corrective lenses to operate a motor vehicle. What do I do about that?
Dr. Martin will supply you with a wallet card that states you are participating in a visual therapy program that eliminates the need for corrective lenses while operating a motor vehicle. The document will have an expiration date for this treatment and you should have your driver's license updated with a new vision screening through your local DMV office to reflect this change, before the expiration date. Please understand this card is not a replacement for updating your license, and no law enforcement officers are required to accept it as documentation for you to be driving legally.

What happens if I lose or damage a lens?
Corneal Refractive Therapy is different than wearing regular contact lenses. If you discontinue wear for one night, your vision may be impaired the next day. Previously worn glasses or contact lenses may not help. Immediate replacement is necessary!

Do vision insurance benefit programs cover Corneal Refractive Therapy?
This is an elective procedure, and to the best of our knowledge is not usually covered by benefit programs. If regular contact lenses are covered under your vision care plan, Corneal Refractive Therapy may be partially covered. Vision Service Plan has specifically denied coverage for CRT. You should check with your benefits plan administrator. It usually is an allowed expense through your employers " Cafeteria" or pretax health spending account, just like glasses and contact lenses. Check with your employer.

I suffer from "dry" eyes, am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Only an examination with Dr. Martin can determine if you are a CRT candidate. Many patients with slightly dry eyes do well with CRT. Since you are wearing the lenses only while sleeping, the closed eye state minimizes evaporative loss of tears and can give dry-eye patients suitable vision without compromising the ocular surface. Many new eye drops are also available now to treat the causes, damage, and inflammation of dry eyes, and Dr. Martin can help relieve your dry eye condition.

I used to wear contact lenses, but stopped due to discomfort. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy? Paragon CRT lenses are worn at night while you are sleeping. This greatly reduces any discomfort normally experienced while wearing contact lenses during the day.

I have astigmatism. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Paragon CRT is designed to correct myopia with to 1.75 diopters of astigmatism. Each individual should be evaluated by Dr. Martin to determine if CRT is right for his or her visual requirements.

I wear glasses. Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?
The transition from wearing only glasses to Paragon CRT should not be a concern. About 18% of the patients in the FDA study were non-contact lens wearers. The dropout rate related to discomfort was only 3.9%.

How do I set up a consultation with Dr. Martin? Call our office at (520) 327-9411 and ask for a CRT consultation. If you have further questions, ask to speak with our CRT Patient Counselor, B.J.