Information for current patients

Paragon Vision Sciences, the maker of our retainer lenses, has a series of short videos to help you review how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses:
http://www.crtvision.com/crt-lens-care/

What should I bring with me to each appointment?

You must bring all your retainer lenses and solutions to each visit. Also, make sure your lenses are clean and ready to be checked. If your appointment is scheduled within 6 hours of removing your lenses, store them in Unique PH or Boston Simplus instead of Clear Care Solution. Lastly, many patients have found a written list of questions is helpful so we can address any issues that have come up since your previous visit.

What if I break or lose a retainer lens?

Don’t panic! This is very common during the first few months of wearing the lenses. This is why we recommend an extra pair of retainer lenses with the program. All retainer lenses are under a one month warranty against breakage. If your lenses break, DO NOT DISPOSE OF THE BROKEN PIECES, YOU’LL NEED THEM TO OBTAIN PROPER CREDIT. If you decide not to purchase additional pair of lenses we can always expedite the order . You will receive your lenses within 2-3 business days. For the fastest response, you can email us at ifeyecare@gmail.com or call our office at 773-774-2200.

What should I do if I have a question before my next appointment?

One of the services we’re most proud of is the accessibility our patients have to our doctors. We understand there are many questions during the first few weeks of wearing retainer lenses, so don’t hesitate to ask! You can always reach us via email at ifeyecare@gmail.com or by telephone at 773-774-2200 If you need an immediate response to a medical question, you can reach any of our doctors on their private cell numbers given to you during your initial visit to our office.

What if I can’t see the board during the first few weeks?

It may take up to six weeks for a new patient’s vision to improve to the point of seeing very clearly from a far distance. If your child has a problem seeing the board from the back of the room, you can allow them to wear an older pair of glasses with a much weaker prescription for the first few days. Also, you can ask your child’s teacher to allow them to sit in the front of the classroom.

How long do I have to wear the lenses before bed?

We recommend wearing the lenses 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed.

How many hours can I wear my lenses per night?

8 hours is the ideal length of time the lenses should be worn. But anywhere from 6-12 hours is fine.

Will I be able to see 20/20 the next day without my glasses?

No. The first day, your vision may not improve and if it does, it only lasts for a couple of hours. You will need to wear an older pair of glasses at this time.

Can the lens get lost in my eye?

No. The lens can move off center, but it can’t go “behind” the eye. There is tissue and muscle that surrounds the eye, preventing this from happening.

What should I bring with me during each follow up visit?

You must bring all of your retainer lenses and solutions to each visit. Your lenses should be clean and ready to be checked.

What do I do if I can’t find the solution in stores?

If you are unable to find the solution you usually use, never pick your own to try. ALWAYS make sure to contact our office first.

Is it normal to see “double”?

Yes. The first week or so, it’s very normal for an object to appear clear looking straight ahead and have a slight shadow or halo surrounding the object.

INFORMATION ABOUT SOLUTION:

For the best results and health of your child’s eyes Unique PH and PROGENT is our recommended brand of choice for soaking and disinfecting CRT lenses.

Unique PH i PROGENT

Menicon Unique pH® is a highly effective and well respected multipurpose solution for gas permeable contact lenses. This solution conditions lenses by adjusting to the eye’s natural tear pH to enhance the wettability and comfort of gas permeable contact lenses on insertion. This formula is designed to provide a soothing effect during lens wear. The solution disinfects lenses using antimicrobial agents, which destroy harmful microorganisms (germs), commonly found on the surfaces of lenses. Simply by soaking it removes dirt, protein deposits and debris from your contact lenses.

Menicon PROGENT s a highly effective deposit and protein remover, a cleaner compatible with all CRT contact lenses. In fact, it is ideal for the growing number of gas permeable lenses that have surface plasma coatings for comfort that should not be mechanically cleaned or rubbed. Simply soaking the lenses for 30 minutes will ensure the removal of deposits as well as the organisms most likely to contaminate lenses, including bacteria, fungus, molds and yeasts. It is recommended that patients remove proteins with Menicon PROGENT bi-weekly.

There are other, however less favorable solutions that are available in TRAGET, WALGREENS ANS CVS BOSTON SIMPLUS , CLEAR CARE or PEROXY CLEAR might be alternatively used, however they are less likely recommended by Ortho K specialists around the world.

Alternative Cleaning Systems

How to Disinfect Your Lenses in solutions

1. First, discard any leftover solution in the case. Clean the case with warm water; allow case to air dry when not used. To avoid mixing the lenses, always clean one lens at a time.
2. To clean your retainers place one lens in the palm of your hand and fill with Unique PH or Boston Simplus. Place your finger inside the lens and rub around your palm in circular motions for 30 seconds. That is how to clean the “outside” of the lens.
3. To clean the “inside”, take the same finger and rub it along the “inside” of the lens. Move your finger along the inside of the lens for 30 seconds.
4. Place the disinfected lens into case and completely cover it with Unique PH / or Simplus Solution. Securely close the case and repeat steps 1-3 with your other lens.

Clear Care and PeroxiClear are similar systems, they are interchangeable products. Both systems actively clean and remove protein from the lenses, while killing germs and bacteria which can cause eye infections. This system is reserved for patients that require a system without preservatives. Follow the instruction directions while using those two products

Clear Care Basics:

1. Clear Care/ Peroxi Clear should always be used with the lens case and the built-in neutralizing disc that is provided in every package
2. Always soak lenses in the provided lens case for at least six hours prior to inserting on the eye
3. When a new package of Clear Care/ Peroxi Clear is opened, always use the new lens case provided to ensure proper neutralization and discard the old case to reduce the potential for contamination
4. Never put Clear Care/Peroxi Clear directly into the eye
5. Never rinse lenses with Clear Care/ Peroxi Clear prior to insertion on the eye, as the solution must be neutralized
6. Never use Clear Care/ Clear Care in a flat lens case

Lubrication Drops

are used before retainer lenses are placed in the eyes at night and before they are removed in the morning. All those drops are available in CVS, TARGET, WALGREENS.

RECOMMENDED!!!! Refresh Optive Preservative Free is a lubrication drop made by a company called Allergan that is Preservative free and it comes in vials. It’s placed in the eyes before retainer lenses are put in at night and before they are removed in the morning.

Refresh Liquigel is a lubrication drop made by a company called Allergan . It’s placed in the eyes before retainer lenses are put in at night and before they are removed in the morning. It is not preservative free. It is a thicker drop that makes your lenses more comfortable when you put them in at night. It is not preservative free so might in some cases crate residue on lenses.

Systane Ultra, made by Alcon, is another popular and easily obtained lubricating drop. It is available at most Target, Wal-Mart, drug stores and supermarkets.

Refresh Optive, also made by Allergan, is a thicker drop that makes your lenses more comfortable when you put them in at night.

INSERTING YOUR LENSES

http://www.crtvision.com/crt-lens-care/

1. Wash your hands with a mild soap.
2. Close the drain on your sink
3. Remove the lens from its case and place it up like a bowl on your index finger. Quickly inspect the edges of the lens to make sure there are no chips, cracks, etc. NEVER wear a damaged lens.
4. If you lens is stuck to the top of cap of the case, use your plunger to remove, not your finger, it will break.
5. Hold down your lower eyelashes with your middle finger of the same hand the lens in on.
6. Your other hand to gently hold up your top eyelashes up. Make sure you place the lens directly over the center part of your eye.
7. If the lens ends up on the white part of the eye, or sclera, you must manually center it.

If your lens lands on the white part of the eye:

1. Gently move the lens back to the center of the eye by using your eyelids.
2. Push the lens onto the cornea while the eye is open, by pushing the lens with your EDGE of your upper or lower eyelid.
3. NEVER place your finger directly over the center of the lens and drag it into place.

Removing Your Lenses without a Plunger

Method 1: Use of plunger as instructed by your doctor

Method 2: Blink

1. Place your index finger at the outer junction of your upper and lower lids; stretch the skin outward and slightly upward while keeping your eyes wide open.
2. Cup your other hand below your eye and blink briskly. The pressure of the eyelid will pinch the lens and the lens will drop out into the palm of your hand.

Method 3: Two-Finger

1. Hold your eye WIDE open. Place one finger on the very edge of your upper lid and the finger of the other hand on the very edge of your lower lid.
2. Push your upper and lower lid against the eye, making sure that you are not pulling the lids away. Press against your eye and then slide your fingers together.
3. Keep your fingers in a straight line up and down; otherwise when you close your eye the lens will go towards one of the corners of your eye.
4. If the lens de-centers onto the white part of your eye, it must be re-centered before repeating the removal procedure.
5. Maintaining pressure on your lids, bring your two fingers together in a hard blinking motion.