Every morning, your child puts on their glasses. While those frames may have become a part of their identity, glasses can sometimes restrict a child’s ability to enjoy a carefree day. Whether your child is playing sports, swimming, or engaging in other activities, glasses can be a cumbersome accessory—even if they’re helping to manage myopia.
Fortunately, there’s an exciting option worth considering—orthokeratology, or ortho-k lenses. Ortho-K lenses slow the progression of myopia, offering children the freedom to explore the world on their own terms.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry. It’s a common condition, with about 30% of Canadians having some level of myopia, and rates are currently on the rise. Some estimates even suggest that as much as 50% of the world will be myopic by 2050.
While there is no cure for myopia, the condition can be managed, and there are treatments available to help to correct or otherwise control it.
Myopia arises when the eyeball has grown too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than onto it.
The retina is a layer of light-reactive cells at the back of your eye. Normally, light rays land directly on the retina. Because myopia causes these rays to focus incorrectly, distant objects can appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear.
Myopia is progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time, so early diagnosis is important. High or severe myopia can lead to more serious issues later in life, such as:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
What Are Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-k lenses are specialized contact lenses that gently reshape the cornea, allowing the wearer to enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or other contact lenses.
In fact, ortho-k does all its work while your child is sleeping! Normally, you don’t want to wear contacts overnight, but ortho-k lenses are breathable, allowing them to be worn for extended periods. Ortho-k lenses gently reshape the cornea while the wearer is asleep, correcting for the structural issues that result in myopia.
This reshaping is temporary. It typically lasts for a day, so some discipline towards the routine is required. However, this also means that if ortho-k isn’t working for your child, it’s easy and safe to stop the treatment.
This means that myopic children can experience greater independence and convenience in their lives without the need for daytime lenses.
Ortho-K & Myopia Control
While regular glasses or contact lenses are great for correcting vision, ortho-k lenses are also suitable for myopia control. By changing how light focuses on the back of the eye, these lenses act like a stop signal for unwanted growth, thereby slowing myopia progression by around half.
Ortho-k lenses may feel unusual at first and require some time to adapt to. However, they are designed to allow oxygen to reach the eye comfortably, ensuring a smooth transition. While there is a slight risk of infection with any type of contact lens, adhering to proper wear and care routines keeps this risk minimal.
For active children with myopia who enjoy sports like soccer, swimming, or playing on the playground, ortho-k lenses can be a great choice, as they eliminate issues like slipping glasses or dry contacts, allowing children to fully enjoy their activities without interruption.
By starting treatment while your child is young and their eyes are still growing quickly, you can help them preserve clearer vision in the future.
When Should I Start Considering Ortho-K for My Kid?
In general, myopia control should start as soon as myopia is diagnosed. The earlier management begins, the longer a child will have the advantage of treatments that slow progression of the condition.
More specifically, children from ages 6–14 may benefit from wearing ortho-k lenses. If you’re ever unsure, your optometrist is here to guide you on your way.
Myopia Control with Trinity Hills Eyecare
Ortho-k lenses represent more than just a vision correction solution—they offer children the chance of having a more active childhood and a clearer vision future. At Trinity Hills Eyecare, we know myopia can feel overwhelming, which is why we have your back with science-based methods to help slow its progression.
As you consider your options for your child’s vision, feel confident knowing that our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way. Book an appointment with us today, and let’s help your child see the world with clarity!
