ORTHO-K
FOR MYOPIA CONTROL
ORTHO-K LENS THERAPY
Ortho-K lenses (short for orthokeratology) are special gas permeable contact lenses designed to gently reshape the cornea. The lenses are worn over night and removed in the morning. This allows your child to see clearly during the day without the need for glasses or regular contact lenses. Ortho-K lens wear in children has been shown to dramatically reduce myopia progression approximately 50 – 70%.
HOW DO ORTHO-K LENSES WORK?
Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas permeable (hard lenses) that are worn overnight. They are placed on the eye just before bed and removed first thing upon awakening. Ortho-K lenses are precision designed and custom manufactured for each patient depending on their eye shape and prescription. The lenses gently sit on the cornea (front surface of the eye) and utilize fluid forces to reshape the cornea while sleeping. This flattening of the cornea changes the myopia prescription so that when you wake up in the morning your prescription is now zero, meaning you should be able to see clearly at all distances and this effect typically will last throughout the day. The unique reshaping of the cornea produces peripheral defocus similar to other myopia controlling options such as glasses and soft contact lenses. This peripheral defocus effect is what slows down your child’s myopia progression as they grow.
ARE ORTHO-K LENSES SAFE?
Ortho-K lenses became popular in the early 1990’s. Improvements in lens manufacturing and computerized eye shape measurements have allowed more and more patients to enjoy the benefits of this type of contact lens wear. Ortho-K lenses are FDA and Health Canada approved for overnight use and for controlling myopia in children.
Wearing any contact lens can cause an eye infection, but this risk can be mitigated by good lens hygiene. The risk of eye infection from Ortho-K is similar to wearing soft contact lenses during the day and is approximately 1 case per 1,000 to 2,000 wearers per year. To help ensure your Ortho-K lens wear is as safe as possible they should only be fit by experienced eye care practitioners
WHO ARE GOOD CANDIATES FOR ORTHO-K?
- Children whose myopia is progressing each year
- Age – we have successfully fit children as young as 8 years of age
- Prescription – should be in the range of -1.00 to -6.00 with no more than -1.50 D of astigmatism
- Adults can also wear Ortho-K to provide freedom from glasses and or contact lenses during the day