Imagine waking up each morning with perfect vision, no need for glasses or contact lenses during the day. Sounds too good to be true? Well, its not. With Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-k, we can provide an alterative method to correcting vision, and slow down myopia (nearsighted) progression.
What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology is a non-surgical, specialized contact lens fitting technique designed to improve vision by temporarily reshaping the cornea, the front surface of the eye, by flattening the cornea to correct nearsightedness.
How does Ortho-k Work?
The process requires you to wear custom designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses overnight. The lenses gently and precisely flatten the cornea, changing how light enters your eyes, correcting nearsightedness and mild degrees of astigmatism. A comparison would be wearing a retainer to keep your teeth in-line, the ortho-k lens helps keep your eye at a particular shape. This results in improved vision during the day without the need to wear contacts lenses or glasses.
Benefits of wearing Ortho-k
- Myopia Control in Children – For children that are at risk for nearsighted progression, Ortho-k is an effective option to help slow down progression. You can assess the risk of your child developing myopia at My Kids Vision
- Freedom from Glasses and Contacts – ortho-k offers an alternative to clear vision during the day without the hassle of glasses and contacts. This is particularly useful for people involved in sports, like swimming or activities where glasses can be inconvenient.
- Non surgical approach to correcting vision – Unlike surgical procedures, ortho-k is non-invasive and fully reversible, making it a safer alternative. If you ever decided to stop using ortho-k lenses, your cornea will eventually return to its original shape.
Is Ortho-k right for you?
While orthokeratology is a fantasy option for many, it is not suitable for everyone. It is best to do an evaluation with an ortho-k certified eye care professional to determine if you’re a good candidate based on several factors, such as prescription, eye health, and corneal shape.
In my practice, patients that primarily wear ortho-k lenses are children, starting at the age of 6. It is one of, if not the most effective option to slowing down myopia progression. The freedom of not wearing glasses also gives children added confidence at school and with their friends.
Conclusion
As an eye care professional, who has been fitting ortho-k for over 14 years, and previously worn these lenses myself, orthokeratology offers a promising alternative to glasses and contact lenses. It’s a safe non-surgical effective way to improve vision for those that are nearsighted and/or have astigmatism. So, if you’re tired of wearing glasses and contacts, apprehensive about doing laser surgery, or worried about your children’s vision deteriorating, book an assessment with your certified eye care professional, to see if ortho-k is right for you.
Can’t wait for the next blog, and would like more information? Feel free to reach out to me at k.lee@trinityhillseyecare.ca
