Can Ortho-K Lenses Improve Your Quality of Life?

All of the world, there are countless individuals who struggle with refractive vision errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These same people are busy and active and don’t want to be bogged down with the added hassle of wearing contact lenses throughout the day to improve their vision.

If you are one of these people, you may be a prime candidate for Orthokeratology contact lenses. Commonly known as Ortho-K lenses, this revolutionary type of contact lenses has enhanced the quality of life for children and adults who have specific vision difficulties due to the fact that the lens is worn while you sleep.

What are Ortho-K Lenses?

Unlike traditional contact lenses, which are worn during the day and removed at night, Ortho-K lenses are worn at night while you sleep and removed in the morning.

Ortho-K lenses work by gently reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, while you sleep. The lenses apply gentle pressure to the cornea, flattening it in specific areas to correct vision problems. When you wake up in the morning and remove the lenses, you can see clearly without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Orthok lenses must be fitted by an eye doctor who is trained in Ortho-K treatment, as the fitting process is different from traditional contact lenses.

What Types of Conditions are Ortho-K Lenses Used to Treat?

Orthokeratology lenses are typically used to treat conditions that occur when the shape of the eye causes light to focus incorrectly on the retina, resulting in blurry vision.

In addition to correcting refractive errors, Ortho-K lenses may also be used to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. This is because the lenses help to reshape the cornea in a way that reduces peripheral blur, which is thought to contribute to the development of myopia.

What are the Benefits of Wearing Ortho-K Lenses?

There are countless advantages associated with using ortho-k lenses to correct your vision issues. Here are some of the potential benefits:

1. Clearer vision: Ortho-K lenses can provide clearer vision without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. This can be particularly beneficial for people who play sports or lead an active lifestyle.
2. Non-surgical alternative: Ortho-K lenses provide a non-surgical alternative to correct vision problems, making them a good option for people who are not good candidates for LASIK or other refractive surgeries.
3. Convenient: Since Ortho-K lenses are worn at night while you sleep, you don’t have to worry about wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day. This can be particularly beneficial for people who have jobs or activities that are not conducive to wearing glasses or contact lenses.
4. Slows down myopia progression: Ortho-K lenses have been shown to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. This can help reduce the risk of developing more serious vision problems later in life.
5. Reversible: Ortho-K treatment is reversible, so if you decide you no longer want to use the lenses, your cornea and vision will return to their original state.
6. Safe: Ortho-K lenses are a safe and effective option for correcting refractive errors, and they have been approved by the FDA.

Are Ortho-K Lenses Right for You?

Orthokeratology lenses may be a good option for you if you have mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia) and would like to be able to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses during the day. However, not everyone is a good candidate for ortho-k lenses, and it’s important to talk to your eye doctor to determine if they are right for you.

Here are some factors that your eye doctor will consider when determining if ortho-k lenses are a good fit for you:

1. Your eye prescription: Ortho-k lenses are most effective for people with mild to moderate nearsightedness, typically up to -6.00 diopters.
2. The shape of your cornea: Your eye doctor will examine the shape of your cornea to determine if ortho-k lenses can effectively reshape it to improve your vision.
3. Your lifestyle: If you participate in sports or other activities that make it difficult to wear glasses or contact lenses, ortho-k lenses may be a good option.
4. Your overall eye health: Ortho-k lenses require careful monitoring to ensure that they are not causing any damage to your eyes, so it’s important that you have regular check-ups with your eye doctor.

How Long Will I Need to Wear Ortho-K Lenses?

It’s important to follow your eye doctor’s instructions and attend regular check-ups to ensure that your eyes remain healthy while wearing ortho-k lenses.

If you would like to learn more about ortho-k lenses and the fantastic impact that they can have on your life, be sure to get in touch with our office today!