Orthokeratology

Revolutionary Night-Time Contact Lenses for Non-Surgical Vision Correction: Reshaping Eye Curvature for Glasses-Free Clarity

What is Orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K, is a non-surgical procedure used to temporarily reshape the cornea. This is achieved by wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses overnight, which gently modify the curvature of the cornea while you sleep. After the lenses are removed in the morning, the adjusted corneal shape allows for clear vision throughout the day. This procedure can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

Why use Ortho-K for Myopia Control?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision problem where close objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurry. It’s caused by the eyeball being too long or the cornea being too curved, resulting in light focusing in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Ortho-K has been found to slow down or halt the progression of myopia in some people, particularly in children. By reshaping the cornea to adjust the focus of light, Ortho-K may slow the elongation of the eyeball, which contributes to myopia progression.

What to Expect

The process of Ortho-K starts with a comprehensive eye examination and a fitting session for your custom-made Ortho-K lenses. After you receive your lenses, you’ll be instructed on how to insert, remove, and care for them.

You will wear these lenses each night, and most patients notice improved vision after a day or two of use. However, it may take a few weeks to achieve maximum results. Once your cornea is fully reshaped, you should be able to see clearly for a day or more without glasses or contact lenses.

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Who Can Use Ortho-K?

Ortho-K is often recommended for individuals with mild to moderate myopia (-1.00 to -6.00 diopters), with or without mild astigmatism. It can be a good choice for people who:

• Are too young for LASIK or are not good candidates for other refractive surgery.
• Have difficulty with dry eyes from air conditioning, computer use, or dusty environments.
• Are engaged in sports or other activities where corrective glasses or contacts are inconvenient.
• Want to reduce the risk of myopia progression.

Orthokeratology Procedure

The Ortho-K procedure involves wearing custom-fitted contact lenses primarily while you sleep. Here’s a general overview:

1. Initial Examination: Your optometrist will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine your suitability for Ortho-K. This includes an assessment of your refractive error, corneal shape, and overall eye health.
2. Fitting the Lenses: The optometrist will take a digital map of your cornea using corneal topography. This information is used to design your custom Ortho-K lenses.
3. First Night & Follow-up: You’ll wear your lenses to sleep, and the next morning, you will have a follow-up appointment to assess the initial results and adjust the lenses if necessary.
4. Regular Check-ups: Regular follow-up visits are necessary to ensure your eyes are responding well to the treatment, and to make any needed adjustments.

Benefits of Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology offers several benefits:

1. It provides clear vision without the need for eyeglasses or daytime contact lenses.
2. The effects are reversible. If you stop wearing the Ortho-K lenses, your cornea will gradually return to its original shape, and your vision will return to its original state.
3. Ortho-K can slow the progression of myopia in some children.
4. It can be an alternative for people who are not good candidates for refractive surgery.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

As with any contact lens use, there are potential risks and side effects associated with Ortho-K. These may include: 

• Discomfort: Some initial discomfort might be experienced while getting used to wearing the lenses.
• Visual Side Effects: Glare, halos around lights, and starbursts could occur during the adaptation period or if the lenses are not fitting properly.
• Infections or Abrasions: These can be minimised by proper lens hygiene and following the recommended wearing schedule.

Ortho-K is Reversible

One of the benefits of Ortho-K is that it is reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, your cornea will gradually revert to its original shape, and your vision will return to its pre-treatment state in as little as 72 hours.

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