What is Ortho-Keratology?
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K for short, is a non-surgical and reversible procedure in which custom designed contact lens devices are used to gently reshape the cornea (front surface) of your eye. It is also known as Corneal Reshaping Technology (CRT) and lenses are worn while sleeping, giving you clear vision during the day without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. Orthokeratology can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and can improve near vision after age 42 (presbyopia).
Orthokeratology may sound dramatic, but it is quite simple. ‘Ortho’ means to ‘correct’. Orthodontics correct teeth. Orthopaedics correct the musculoskeletal system. Orthokeratology corrects the refractive error by reshaping the cornea.
Orthokeratology can be effective on farsighted, nearsighted (myopic), and astigmatic patients. Ideally, your prescription should be in the range of +2.00 to -6.00 with no more than -1.75 diopters of surface astigmatism. In some cases your Orthokeratologist will attempt higher prescriptions.
Orthokeratology technology continues to evolve, and in many cases, Ortho-K can also successfully correct corneas with high astigmatism, presbyopia and Post-LASIK (refractive surgery) with residual myopia or irregular treatment areas.
The Forge Ortho-K lenses are custom designed with our cutting-edge EyeSpace contact lens design software. Using the corneal topography map taken by your eye care practitioner, EyeSpace enables the calculation and computerised simulation of your custom made lens, without the need for time consuming and uncomfortable in office trial fitting.
How does Ortho-k Work?
Your custom-designed Ortho-K contact lens reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. It uses the forces of the eyelid and tear fluid beneath the lens to reshape the top layers of the cornea.
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For treatment of myopia, the lens produces a flatter central cornea, correcting near-sightedness by decreasing the power of the eye.
For hyperopia and presbyopia, the design of the lens steepens the central cornea, correcting long-sightedness by increasing the power of the eye.
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IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT
Improvements in vision can usually be seen the next day, with the procedure stabilizing after a week. With high myopia over -6.00D, astigmatism and hyperopia the process can take two to four weeks to achieve full correction. Ortho-K does not permanently change the shape of the eye. Your eyes’ shape will revert back to their original state within one to four weeks if you stop wearing the lenses.
COMFORT AND SAFETY
Ortho-K lenses are surprisingly comfortable to wear. Most people comment that they forget they have lenses in after the first week of wear. Similar to disposable soft contact lenses, the main adverse event associated with Ortho-K corneal reshaping therapy is an infection of the cornea, microbial keratitis. With proper care and maintenance, the risk of inflammation and bacterial infections due to poor hygiene can be minimized.
Who can benefit from Ortho-k?
Ortho-K holds particular appeal for certain groups of people:
PEOPLE WHO PLAY SPORTS — ESPECIALLY CONTACT AND WATER SPORTS
You can enjoy the freedom of playing sports without worrying about your glasses getting damaged or your contact lenses falling out. Ortho-K lenses are only worn at night while you sleep, leaving you with perfect vision during the day on the sports field, court or in the swimming pool.
PEOPLE WORKING IN DUSTY OR DIRTY ENVIRONMENTS
Dusty or dirty environments can play havoc with contact lenses and glasses. If you’re a tradesman who needs to squeeze into tight spaces or work in dusty work conditions, Ortho-K lenses will allow you to see clearly and get on with the job.
PEOPLE WITH DRY EYES OR ALLERGIES
Ortho-K lenses are great if you suffer from allergies or dry eyes and work long hours on the computer or in air conditioned environments and don’t wish to wear glasses or contact lenses.
PEOPLE WHO WANT FREEDOM FROM THEIR GLASSES OR DAY WEAR CONTACT LENSES
CHILDREN WITH PROGRESSIVE MYOPIA
Ortho-K lenses are an excellent option for children with progressive myopia (short sightedness). Ortho-K is scientifically proven to dramatically slow, or potentially halt the progression of myopia and can have a positive impact on the long-term health of your child’s eye. Wearing Ortho-K lenses only at night gives kids the freedom to run around, play sports and wear fashion sunglasses during the day without worrying about their glasses or contact lenses in the eye.
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In short, Ortho-K works best for people who don’t want to or are unable to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day but don’t mind wearing lenses while they sleep. People with healthy corneas who are unsuitable for laser surgery (LASIK) can still qualify for Ortho-K. Children and teenagers especially benefit from the freedom to play sport and wear fashion sunglasses. Parents love the fact that there is no risk of kids losing their contact lenses or spectacles. Ortho-K is an excellent option for those with youth-onset myopia due to the additional benefits of being able to slow and even halt the progression of myopia. Contact us to book an appointment to see if you qualify for Ortho-K.