Orthokeratology (Ortho-k):
Is Corneal Reshaping Right for
Me or My Child?
Both adults and children can benefit from ortho-k, which provides great daytime vision without contacts or glasses.
Orthokeratology is a process that uses specially designed GP contact lenses to temporarily reshape the contour of the cornea to reduce myopia (nearsightedness).
Orthokeratology is nicknamed "ortho-k" and sometimes called corneal reshaping (CR), corneal refractive therapy or vision shaping.
Some new ortho-k lens designs are also available for farsightedness and presbyopia. Research has also demonstrated that orthokeratology lens designs slow the progression of myopia.
Good candidates for orthokeratology include youngsters age 8 to 12 with progressive myopia, as well as most adolescents and adults, although the best success is with people under age 40. Ortho-k is recommended for low to mild nearsightedness (-4 diopters or less).
People who are not good candidates include those with dry eye syndrome, a large pupil size, or high myopia.
The Orthokeratology Process
If your eye care professional feels you are a good candidate for orthokeratology, you will wear specially designed GP lenses at night only. In the one- to two-week treatment phase, your nearsightedness is gradually reduced. Since your vision will be changing, you'll need to wear disposable soft lenses during the day.
Watch this video about Sharon Lee, who uses a type of ortho-k called CRT to correct her vision during sleep so she can see well all day without glasses or contacts.
Once the treatment is over, you can wear the GP lenses at night only and see well during the day without any corrective lenses.
Some people need to wear their lenses only every other night, or even once or twice a week, to maintain the effect.
You will need to see your eye care professional regularly to ensure your lenses are fitting well and your eyes are healthy.
Since during sleep the lenses fit tightly on the eye, it's especially important to clean and disinfect the lenses upon removal each morning.
Ortho-k: Great for Sports
Young people whose nearsightedness is progressively increasing are often excellent candidates for orthokeratology. Studies have found that these specially designed ortho-k lenses can reduce existing myopia when worn overnight.
As young people are very active athletically, this often allows them visual freedom to play sports without wearing eyeglasses or contacts.
Orthokeratology and Myopia Control
In addition to the benefit of lens-free daytime vision, orthokeratology is starting to be appreciated for its ability to slow the progression of myopia. A number of published clinical studies have found that orthokeratology lens designs inhibit the growth of the eye's axial length, which determines the degree of myopia.
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[Page updated April 2013]
