Ortho-k (orthokeratology) is a revolutionary way of treating different refractive issues. The treatment prevents them from gradually worsening and becoming severe by using rigid gas-permeable lenses.
These lenses reshape the cornea’s front surface at night. The reshaping provides clear vision during the day by ensuring that light refracts accurately on the retina. It enables your brain to interpret a clear image instead of an out-of-focus and blurry one.
Below are some qualities that may make individuals a good candidate for orthokeratology. Your refractive issue or individual needs may make you a good candidate for the treatment.
Ortho-k lenses are becoming the gold standard for treating myopia in children as they slow the progression of myopia. They apply hydraulic pressure on the corneal surface, causing the epithelial cells to move. It displaces them to the periphery of the cornea to create peripheral defocus as light enters the eye.
Peripheral defocus is the same concept in multifocal lenses. It causes all light to refract on the retina, slowing and even stopping the elongation of the eyeball. The treatment is most effective in children before their teenage years when myopia gets worse.
The treatment works for all ages if you have mild to moderate prescriptions, which allow noticeable changes when the lenses reshape your cornea at night. It also costs much less than refractive eye surgery and is reversible.
High lens powers may not receive treatment effectively since they require significant reshaping of the front corneal surface. In these cases, it is better to opt for refractive eye surgery.
Some people have allergies—for example, dry eyes—when they wear daily contact lenses. Ortho-k lenses are for use at night when you sleep. It lessens the likelihood of your eyes drying out since you close them when asleep.
The tear film remains on the eye as the lenses reshape your cornea. When you remove the lenses, you can enjoy the clarity of vision during the day. Other hard-to-fit conditions may include some cases of astigmatism.
There are some cases of astigmatism that may benefit more from ortho-k lenses than from toric lenses. These cases include people with astigmatism who also suffer from dry eyes. The condition makes it hard to wear contact lenses during the day. There are also some people with astigmatism who prefer to spend the day without using eyeglasses or contact lenses. Ortho-k lenses provide the relief they want.
People who work in dusty environments find it difficult to operate with eyeglasses and contact lenses. Contact lenses keep collecting dust on their surfaces that may irritate your eyes and cause dry eyes.
People with eyeglasses may need to keep cleaning them. Ortho-k lenses give these people the solution they need. They can operate in their environments without worrying about cleaning their lenses.
Ortho-k lenses are also ideal for people who engage in contact sports. It gives them the freedom of not worrying about broken or lost lenses. They can thrive on the field and off it.
For more information on ortho-k, visit Bright Vision Family Eyecare at our Flushing, New York office. Call (929) 666-5048 to schedule an appointment today.
