What is orthokeratology
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is a specially designed and fitted contact lens to temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision generally affected by myopia. It’s like orthodontics for the eyes as the treatment is often compared to dental braces. Ortho-k lenses are mostly worn at night to reshape the front surface or the cornea of the eye while you sleep. Vision improvements are reversible but can be maintained if you keep wearing the lenses as directed
Ortho-k lenses used for
Ortho-k lenses are special gas-permeable lenses created to reshape the cornea. The patient needs to wear lenses overnight and when they put them off in the morning, they will enjoy clear vision throughout the day without using glasses or daytime contact lenses. Not only myopia, but Ortho-K lenses can correct a variety of eye conditions including astigmatism, and hyperopia.
How does an ortho-k lens work?
The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped window in the front of the eye that focuses light onto the retina and is responsible for most of the eye’s focusing power. Its tissues are very flexible.
When an optometrist checks the eye condition, they map and measure the surface of your cornea using an instrument called a corneal topographer and then design a lens, specially for that eye. The cornea map is produced by reflecting light off the surface of the eye. The machine doesn’t touch the eye and is completely painless. The corneal topography map reveals to the optometrist the shape and curves of your cornea.
The lenses work by flattening the middle of the cornea, changing how light is bent as it enters the eye. Orthokeratology lenses are worn overnight to flatten the cornea and remove during the day. These overnight Ortho-k lenses are rigid gas-permeable. These are sturdy enough to reshape the cornea, but at the same time also allow oxygen through so the eye stays healthy.
After overnight use of the lens, when ortho-k lenses are removed the cornea stays flattened for a while, and vision is corrected without the need for glasses for the time being. If you stop wearing the lenses, the eyes will eventually go back to their original shape and the refractive error will return. Patients with such a refractive error have to keep wearing the lenses regularly to keep the vision corrected.
It’s especially beneficial for children
Ortho-k lenses can be effective for everyone; children are particularly good prospects and also young adults who are not suitable for LASIK. However, kids who are reluctant to wear glasses often achieve fantastic results with Ortho-K lenses. We now know that this treatment is one of the most practical methods of slowing down progressive myopia in children. Other good candidates are those within a specified range of prescriptions, and those who need vision correction without corrective lenses, such as pilots, police officers, or athletes.
It isn’t painful
It may come across like corneal reshaping would be painful, but it’s not. Because the reshaping is not done by squeezing or “squishing.” Instead, it comes from hydraulic forces. The lens sets up a vault of fluid over the eye, causing some parts of the cornea to take in more fluid and some parts to take in less, transforming the shape of the cornea and temporarily correcting curvature issues.
Is orthokeratology safe?
However, despite its benefits, like any other contact lens, there is also a risk for infection when it comes to Ortho-K lenses due to poor hygiene. But the percentage is small and incomparable to soft contact lens.
Vision Space Optometrists, renowned eye care professionals for Myopic eye exams in Malaysia provide the best eye care service by a group of trusted, passionate, and learned optometrists using their experience and latest eye care equipment to fight myopia and correct vision problems during driving. At Vision Space, we enjoy great service from others. Likewise, we want to be known to be providers of great service to our customers. We will go the extra mile to serve you for many, many, many years! We promise to provide the best eye care possible through our team of trusted and passionate optometrists using the latest eye care equipment to keep your eyes healthy forever. Also, we constantly seek and source internationally for several types of eyewear that look great on you, are super comfortable, and enhance your personality. Kindly visit our official website to get the best eye care and the best eyewear as per your choices and preferences- http://www.visionspace.com.my/.