Orthokeratology
What is it?
Ortho-K is the fitting of specially designed highly breathable gas permeable contact lenses that are you wear overnight and not during the day. While you are asleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye (cornea) so that when you remove the lenses when you wake up you can see clearly during the day.
Ortho-K is not surgery. It is a reversible alternative to refractive surgery.
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Why are Ortho-K lenses used?
Ortho-K lenses are prescribed primarily for two purposes.
○ To allow freedom from both contact lenses and glasses for all or at least the majority of all waking hours. This can be ideal for those who find glasses and contact lenses inconvenient as well so those involved in sports or work in dusty environments.
○ To slow the progression of childhood myopia
Who is suitable for Ortho-K?
Ortho-K is not suitable for everyone and every prescription.
It is most successful for those with low to moderate levels of myopia (less than 6 dioptres of short-sightedness) and up to 2 dioptres of astigmatism. Prescriptions above this are most likely to be inadequately corrected. Other individual factors such as corneal shape and thickness can affect the possible outcome.
Our optometrists can advise on your suitability.
Ortho-K for kids?
Ortho-K is not just for adults. Clinical research is showing that Ortho-K is one option that has been shown to help reduce the progression of myopia in children. Myopia can increase the chances of serious eye-health issues in later life including retinal detachment, macula degeneration, cataract and glaucoma.
While successful long term myopia control with Ortho-K cannot be absolutely guaranteed for every child it will still give those using it good eyesight during the day.
