ORTHOKERATOLOGY
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CLEARLY ALL DAY LONG WITHOUT GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES?
WHAT IS ORTHOKERATOLOGY?
Orthokeratology (or ortho-k) is a safe, non surgical way to treat shortsightedness.
A rigid gas permeable contact lens is used to gently and temporarily reshape the front surface of
the eye while you sleep. When you wake up, you will have clear vision all day long.
Orthokeratology can be compared to orthodontics for your eyes, and Ortho-k lenses to braces.
Ortho-k lenses flatten the eye by less than the width of a human hair, but the results can be life
changing
WHO IS IT FOR?
Ortho-k lenses are primarily used in the treatment of myopia or shortsightedness, but can be used for small amounts of astigmatism too.
While these problems can all be corrected with normal glasses or contact lenses, these can often get in the way of some activities.
Spectacles can be difficult to wear for sports or in the rain and contact lenses can be a source of irritation and dryness and have limited wearing time.
Orthokeratology removes the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day. Laser surgery can also correct these problems, but orthokeratology carries a lot lower risk and is completely reversible.
The Prescription range is between -0.75 and -5.50 of myopia and up to -2.50 of astigmatism.
IS ORTHO-K SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
It is completely safe and lenses can be fitted to children from 8 years of age. In fact, ortho-k is recommended for children who are developing to be shortsighted at a young age, as it has been shown to slow down the rate of progression of myopia.
With a reduction in the level of myopia, these children also benefit from a reduced risk of myopia related issues, such as glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment.
Ortho-k is great for children. Lenses are only worn at night and normally at home, so parents can always supervise lens wear and there is less risk of losing or breaking glasses as these will very rarely need to be worn. It allows children to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
HOW DO I START?
To begin orthokeratology treatment, firstly we need to assess your suitability. If you have an up to date prescription then you can email this to us.
Otherwise we can perform a full eye examination as part of your initial consultation. We will also need to assess the health of the front of the eye and the quality of your tears.
Once we know that you are suitable we will map the cornea (the front of the eye), to measure all of the curves necessary to generate an orthokeratology lens.Adding all of these measurements to your prescription we will be able to order a custom designed lens that will correct your vision while you sleep.
HOW DOES IT WORK AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Once we know that you are suitable for Orthokeratology, by assessing your prescription and the
health of the cornea, we will be able to take measurements, including a custom map of the front
surface of the eye, to create your custom contact lenses.
When you collect your custom made lenses, we will teach you how to insert and remove them
safely and assess how they fit on your eyes.
You can then go home and prepare for your first night of wear.
We will ask you to return to the practice, wearing your lenses. We will again assess the fitting of
the lenses, and on removal we will check your vision. We would expect your vision to be
between 50 to 75% of perfect at this point. (This amount depends on a number of factors,
including the extent of your level of myopia and the flexibility of your cornea)
We will expect your vision to be close to 6/6 (20/20) in each eye, and that you are getting very
used to wearing the lenses at night. If your vision has not improved to this level we made a
couple of extra appointments for small adjustments to the lenses.
You will have a noticeable improvement in your lifestyle, having lost the need for glasses or
contact lenses during the day. We will be able to assess the long term comfort of the lenses and
again adjust any small parameters necessary to make your vision perfect.
A small check to again assess your progress and any additional needs you may have.
This check is mostly for children to assess any changes in the prescription to ensure that
myopia control measures are working.
We will check your orthokeratology treatment yearly, to ensure that your eyes are healthy and to
make any minor adjustments to your prescription that are needed.