Are you tired of relying on prescription glasses or daytime contact lenses to correct your vision? Imagine if there was a way to improve your eyesight without undergoing surgery or the hassle of wearing corrective lenses during the day. Well, the good news is that such a solution exists, and it’s called orthokeratology or ortho-k.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a revolutionary method that utilizes custom-designed gas permeable contact lenses. These lenses are worn overnight while you sleep, working to gently reshape the cornea. By the time you wake up and remove the lenses, you’ll experience improved vision throughout the day, free from the dependency on traditional vision aids. Ortho-k offers a safe and non-invasive alternative for individuals seeking freedom and convenience in their vision correction. By temporarily modifying the curvature of the cornea, orthokeratology allows you to enjoy clear vision for extended periods, typically lasting between 24 to 48 hours. Read on to see learn if you’re a candidate for orthokeratology lenses and treatment, and to learn more about what to expect during the process.
Say goodbye to the limitations of glasses and the risks associated with surgical procedures. Ortho-k offers a safe and non-invasive alternative for individuals seeking freedom and convenience in their vision correction. By temporarily modifying the curvature of the cornea, orthokeratology allows you to enjoy clear vision for extended periods, typically lasting between 24 to 48 hours.
Does Ortho-k work with my prescription?
Can Ortho-K correct myopia?
Orthokeratology has emerged as a promising solution for myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness. This innovative technique has demonstrated the ability to effectively correct myopia and reduce progression of the condition in many individuals. People with myopia are the best candidates for correction of their vision with Ortho-K lenses and treatment.
Can Ortho-K treat my astigmatism?
If you have astigmatism, you may be pleased to know that orthokeratology can be an effective option for correcting this common refractive error as well. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape, causing blurry or distorted vision at all distances. Depending on the degree of astigmatism, treatment potential may be more limited and more steps may be required to perfectly fine tune the fit of the custom made lens to ensure successful treatment.
Ortho-K for sports performance and athletes
Orthokeratology has gained significant attention among athletes seeking enhanced sports performance and visual clarity. For athletes engaged in various sports, visual acuity and freedom from eyeglasses or contact lenses can make a world of difference. Orthokeratology offers a game-changing solution by providing clear, unaided vision throughout the day and athletes can experience improved peripheral vision, depth perception, and overall visual performance during their chosen sport. Additionally, orthokeratology eliminates the hassle of glasses or daytime contact lenses that can potentially interfere with athletic activities. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a passionate sports enthusiast, or a recreational athlete, orthokeratology may help optimize your visual capabilities and elevate your performance to new heights.
How old do you have to be for ortho-K?
Orthokeratology offers vision correction benefits to a wide range of age groups, but the specific age requirement may vary. Generally, orthokeratology can be suitable for children, teenagers, and adults. The candidacy for orthokeratology is typically determined based on the individual’s eye health, refractive error, corneal shape, and visual requirements. While there is no fixed minimum age for orthokeratology, it is essential for children to have a certain level of responsibility and maturity to handle the lens care routine effectively. Additionally, the developmental stage of the eyes plays a role in determining the suitability for orthokeratology.
An alternative to traditional vision correction.
Ortho-K versus Lasik or other laser surgery
When considering vision correction options, it’s important to explore both orthokeratology and LASIK, as they offer distinct benefits. Orthokeratology provides a non-surgical alternative that involves wearing custom-designed gas permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea, allowing for clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. With orthokeratology, you have the flexibility to discontinue the treatment at any time if needed, especially if there are less than ideal side effects such as glare or halos.
In contrast, LASIK is a surgical procedure that permanently reshapes the cornea using a laser. While LASIK provides long-term vision correction, it’s important to note that it involves certain risks and potential complications associated with any surgical intervention. Additionally, not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK plus it is a permanent procedure that can not be reversed should any side effects occur.
Keep in mind that both orthokeratology and LASIK have their merits, and the decision should be based on a thorough discussion with your eye care professional. By considering the benefits of orthokeratology, such as its non-surgical nature and flexibility, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision correction goals.
Ortho-k instead of glasses
While glasses still remain as the most common go-to treatment for refractive error, ortho-K provides an alternative option for people who prefer the convenience of not needing to wear correction through the day. Once the ortho-K treatment stabilizes, most people are able to go 24-48 hours with seeing clearly without the use of any other correction.
Orthokeratology instead of day time contact lenses
Contact lenses worn throughout the day are an option for people who do not want to be wearing glasses, but they still require something to be worn on the eye during waking hours. Orthokeratology lenses are worn only at night, are taken off in the morning, and individuals are able to see clearly without any correction on their eyes throughout the day.
What to expect after treatment
Does ortho-k correct to 20/20?
One of the common questions about orthokeratology is whether it can correct vision to 20/20. While the goal of orthokeratology is to improve visual acuity, the results may vary from person to person. In many cases, orthokeratology can provide significant visual improvement, potentially reaching 20/20 vision or close to it. However, it’s important to note that individual factors, such as the severity of the refractive error and the corneal shape, can influence the final outcome. The majority of ideal candidates for ortho-K are able to reach 20/20, but people with more complex eyes may have visual acuity slightly lower than 20/20
Can ortho-k be permanent?
When considering orthokeratology as a vision correction option, one may wonder if the results are permanent. It’s important to understand that orthokeratology provides temporary changes to the shape of the cornea to improve vision. While the effects of orthokeratology can be long-lasting, they are not considered permanent. The reshaping of the cornea achieved through wearing custom-designed gas permeable contact lenses overnight typically lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. To maintain the desired visual correction, it’s necessary to continue wearing the orthokeratology lenses on a regular basis. If you discontinue wearing the lenses, the cornea will gradually return to its original shape, and your vision will revert to its previous state.
Will my prescription change after orthokeratology?
As with any other methods to correct vision, as the shape of the eyes change throughout your lifetime your prescription will change as well. Orthokeratology; however, has an added benefit relative to other traditional treatment strategies is that it has been shown to slow down the rate of change of an individuals myopia, through a technique we call myopia control. Keep your eyes peeled for another blog post coming up discussing the benefits of myopia control and how ortho-K (as well as other strategies) can be used to reduce the rate of change of your prescription.
Conclusion:
The use of ortho-K can be a life changing treatment option for a wide variety of individuals. Whether you’re a child attempting to reduce the need of glasses and day time contact lenses, or an athlete looking to optimize sports performance, or an adult hoping to find convenient vision correcting options that are alternatives to surgery, we can help you.
We encourage you to take the next step in exploring the potential benefits of orthokeratology. Schedule a consultation for an eye exam in our specialty contact lens clinic with our experienced optometrists who can guide you through the process and determine if orthokeratology is the right fit for your individual visual needs. At Prpic Eyecare Centre, we understand that every patient is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized care. To learn more about orthokeratology and discover how it can potentially transform your life and vision, contact us today. You can reach us at 604-337-2575 or send an email to info@prpiceyecare.com. Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about your vision correction journey.
