Orthokeratology (Ortho-K):
Ortho-K, also known as Corneal Refractive Therapy is a non-surgical process using specially designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea while a patient sleeps.
Contact Lens & Vision is your trusted contact for Orthokeratology (Ortho-K). Ortho-K is a non-surgical, reversible procedure to help reshape the corneal surface. This results is clear and comfortable vision without the use of daytime contact lenses or eyeglasses. This is achieved using a unique therapeutic mold to reshape the cornea while you sleep. The specially designed therapeutic mold which is worn overnight resculpts the outermost corneal cells. Fluid forces are created by the therapeutic mold acting on the tear film beneath this lens. This creates a push/pull force beneath the lens surface resulting in an altered corneal shape which results in clear, comfortable vision.
In addition to correcting daytime vision, Ortho-K has been shown to slow down myopia progression. As a child with nearsightedness (myopia) grows, the length of the eye also grows. This causes myopia to worsen and also opens up risk of potential eye disease. Increasing amounts of myopia also make the eye more susceptible to retinal detachments, and possibly glaucoma.
Who Is A Candidate For Ortho-K?
- Near-sighted patients who are too young for LASIK surgery
- Patients who are not good candidates for some other reason
- Patients with contact lens intolerance due to dry-eye syndrome
- Patients who fail at wearing contact lenses
- Children with less than -5.00D of myopia and less than -1.50D of astigmatism and are interested in slowing down the progression of their myopia.
How Long Does It Take For Ortho-K To Work?
Most patients will have an initial improvement in 1-3 days, but it can take up to 2-3 weeks to get full vision correction. As your vision improves every night you may need a temporary pair of eyeglasses or soft 1-day disposable contact lenses for certain tasks until full correction is achieved. Call Dr. Kerry Gelb at Contact Lens & Vision in Woodbridge, NJ for more information and to see if Ortho-K is the right option for you.