What Is Orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology (also referred to as ortho-k or corneal reshaping) utilizes a customized contact lens that is approved to reshape the cornea while you sleep. When you wake up and remove the lenses you will not require the use of glasses and/or contact lenses during the day. Orthokeratology is approved for reduction of myopia and slowing progression of myopia in children and adults.

Orthokeratology And Myopia Management

Ortho-K is an approved therapy to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Unlike other myopia management options, orthokeratology can quickly provide a child with a lifestyle change that greatly impacts their life daily. If you have concerns that your child is developing myopia, or is becoming more myopic each year, then call our office to schedule or use the link below to schedule a consultation with our doctors at Grand Eye Care to see if your child qualifies for orthokeratology.

Is Ortho-K Right For Me Or My Child?

Orthokeratology was developed for children and adults who have myopia (nearsighted). The following are examples of why children and adults choose Ortho-K contact lenses:

• Children with Myopia – Orthokeratology is approved for slowing the progression of myopia in children. Reducing a child’s final level of myopia by 1.00 diopters results in 40% reduction of developing myopic maculopathy.

• Athletics – Ortho-k lenses are perfect for athletes because you can compete at a high level without having to worry about your prescription glasses or contact lenses interfering while you compete. Prescription glasses fit awkwardly under helmets. Sports goggles are bulky and can limit an athlete’s field of view. Regular contact lenses can fall out in the middle of a game, match, or competition.

• Dry Eyes – Ortho-k lenses are perfect for individuals that experience eye dryness in soft contact lenses. Because you sleep in the lenses overnight and remove them when you wake up, you will not experience contact lens induced eye dryness throughout the day. You will not need to pop out your contacts to rewet them and you will not need to using contact lens lubricating eye drops.

• Work Environments – Ortho-k lenses are perfect for individuals that work in air-conditioned, poorly ventilated, or dusty environments. Soft contact lenses act like sponges that soak up any dirt, dust, allergens, and debris that is in the air. That dirt, dust, allergens, and debris sticks to the soft contact lens and results in eye dryness, irritation, and discomfort.

• Freedom from daytime glasses and contact lenses – Ortho-k lenses are perfect for the child or adult that simply does not want to depend on glasses or contact lenses during the day. It doesn’t matter if you lose or break your glasses because you will no longer need to use them to see clearly.

• Don’t qualify for LASIK, PRK, or SMILE? – Ortho-k lenses are a great option for patients that do not qualify for laser corrective surgeries like LASIK, PRK, or SMILE. Unlike laser eye surgery, the effects of ortho-k lenses are not permanent. In fact, ortho-k is completely reversible if you decide to stop wear the lenses. Stopping ortho-k lens wear will cause the cornea to return to its normal shape and allow for your vision to return to how it was before you started wearing ortho-k lenses.

Ortho-k for Adults

Ortho-k is a safe and effective alternative to refractive surgeries, such as LASIK, and is approved for adults with myopia (nearsightedness), farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Ortho-k can even be used in patients with LASIK regression.