GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM (GVSS)

 

  • Gentle Vision Shaping System, (also known as orthokeratology, ortho-k, corneal refractive therapy, corneal molding, overnight vision correction and gentle corneal shaping) is a therapy which uses specialty retainer contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea of the eye overnight while sleeping, thus eliminating the dependence upon glasses or contact lenses during the day.
  • This procedure is very similar to the way a person’s teeth/ bite are gently aligned with the use of braces.


GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM WORKS!

  • Nearsightedness is caused by the cornea being too steep. Retainer lenses (similar in appearance to standard contact lenses) gently flatten the cornea overnight while you sleep. During the day, this flattened corneal shape allows the light coming into the eye to focus on the retina more accurately without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
  • Most patients achieve clear unaided vision the first day after overnight wear, but patients with higher prescriptions may need temporary soft lenses for a few days until full clarity is reached.
  • Once the optimal visual changes have been achieved, retainer lenses must be worn at night every 1-3 days while sleeping to maintain stable vision.
  • Our retainers have been shown to slow the rate of progression of near-sightedness when compared to children wearing eyeglasses or traditional contact lenses. More studies are needed to confirm this and the exact mechanism, but in our opinion children with rapidly progressive nearsightedness should wear these lenses in an attempt to reduce myopia progression.


GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM IS FOR ME!

  • Eye allergies can be a problem for traditional contact lens wear. Athletes who normally can wear contact lenses successfully may find their contacts become intolerable during allergy season, when pollen and other airborne irritants can stick to the lenses.
  • Active individuals can freely participate in sports without the interference of glasses or bother of contact lenses. As these retainer lenses are worn while sleeping, eye irritation and dryness often associated with the combination of contact lens wear, extended computer use and outside dust and pollutants, is eliminated.
  • Traditional contact lenses sometimes don't correct astigmatism as well as eyeglasses do. Soft contact lenses for astigmatism can rotate on the eye during certain head movements and postures, causing unstable vision.
  • Studies show that people who work in front of a computer blink up to 5 times less than normal. This coupled with a contact lens greatly increases "dry" eyes especially when in an air conditioned environment.
  • Traditional contact lenses can sometimes move off center or become dislodged from the eye, especially during contact sports or if they become dry.
  • Overnight Vision Correction has been shown to allow an athlete greater confidence in their vision. This increased confidence in their vision directly effects performance.


OVERNIGHT VISION CORRECTION DOES NOT HURT AND POSES MINIMAL RISK!

  • While wearing your retainers, a sensation of lens awareness can result from interaction of the eyelid and the edge of the lens during blinking. This doesn’t happen as much with soft lenses because they are larger and remain tucked under the eyelids. However, when your retainers are worn during sleep, blinking and lens awareness generally are not a problem.
  • Your retainers do not pose any further risks than traditional contact lenses would. Proper use and maintenance of your retainers minimize any complications there might be.
  • The rate of improvement varies from one person to the next.You must be prepared to follow instructions implicitly for the best results.
  • Should you stop wearing your retainers, your vision will slowly return to its original state.
  • While the success of Overnight Vision Correction is very high nationally, it cannot be guaranteed although it is rare that a good candidate does not do well with Overnight Vision Correction.


GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM -VS- LASIK

  • While LASIK outcomes overwhelmingly are favorable, remember that — as with any surgery — risks of complications still exist. Fewer than 1 percent of patients still experience serious and ongoing vision problems following LASIK, because no surgical procedure is ever risk-free.
  • The hazy post-operative vision, dry eye, reduced contrast sensitivity and nighttime glare that could be associated with laser surgery does not occur with the Gentle Vision Shaping System.
  • Perhaps the most important attributes of the Gentle Vision Shaping System is that it is non-invasive and reversible (unlike laser surgery). If you stop wearing your retainer lenses, your corneas will return to the pre-treated shape in about 5-10 days and you will be able to use your old glasses or traditional contacts lenses again.
  • LASIK and other refractive eye surgery methods used to correct nearsightedness require a fully developed eye. That means that you must be 18years of age or older for most of these procedures to be performed.
  • The Gentle Vision Shaping System can be done on children as young as 7-8 years of age when their nearsightedness is lower and can be adjusted for changes in growth.

THE COST OF GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM

  • Overnight Vision Correction costs approximately half of what Lasik surgery would.
  • Insurance through your employer that includes a vision policy plan could possibly be used towards the purchase of your retainers.
  • In addition to this we offer great in-house financing options that allow up to 2 years no interest payments.
  • Many of our patients take advantage of our "referral" program which allows them additional discounts towards or even FREE back-up retainers!


THE HISTORY OF GENTLE VISION SHAPING

  • Overnight Vision Correction has been around for decades, however the recent advances in contact lens technology has brought it to the forefront of myopia/astigmatism control.
  • The practice of Overnight Vision Correction requires a great deal of technical skill and specialized equipment.  Coan Eye Care specializes in specialty contact lens fittings and has brought to the practice all the equipment necessary to achieve excellent results in the management of myopia and low to moderate astigmatism.


THE FUTURE OF GENTLE VISION SHAPING SYSTEM

  • Gentle Vision Shaping System has been around for decades, however the recent advances in contact lens technology has brought it to the forefront of myopia/astigmatism control.
  • The practice of Gentle Vision Shaping System requires a great deal of technical skill and specialized equipment. Coan Eye Care specializes in specialty contact lens fittings and has brought to the practice all the equipment necessary to achieve excellent results in the management of myopia and low to moderate astigmatism.
    • In the future, a drug enhancement will make retainer wear unnecessary. CorneaPlasty-tm allows you to have a reshaped cornea that does not rebound to prior shape. It is under FDA study and is not yet available to the public.
    • With the increase in laser corrective surgeries performed, practices like ours will start to specialize in corneal rehabilitation of post-surgical corneas that have not recieved desired results.
    • Corneal Cross-linking: Crosslinking is a process that improves corneal rigidity by increasing the chemical bonds between the collagen fibers. It is a physiological procedure that causes the corneal stroma to become less flexible, thus making it stiffer by increasing the biomechanical strength of its tissue structure. It shows great promise in reducing the need for enhancement procedures following LASIK. It can control the progression of ectasia in keratoconus. It can prolong the correction achieved by corneal molding. Preliminary results are very encouraging with several patients not having to wear their moldings after the initial treatment for up to a year.
    • New designs will soon be available for prescriptions up to -10.00D of myopia and for hyperopes upto +3.00D
    • Presbyopia (Needing Reading Spectacles) Coming Soon