Why Orthokeratology?
In case you do not know what Orthokeratology is – it is a non-surgical, reversible process that uses therapeutic lenses to shape the cornea while the patient sleeps. The benefit is that it provides clear vision without the use of contact lenses or glasses during the day.
How does ortho-K work?
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) couldn’t be easier because it works while your child is asleep at night.
These specifically designed gas permeable contact lenses gently and painlessly reshape the front surface of the eye ( the cornea) overnight.
When they wake up in the morning, you or your child simply remove the ortho-K lenses and enjoy clear vision throughout the day without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
What conditions does Orthokeratology correct?
Ortho-K lenses are daily prescribed to correct myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism. They also have been shown by studies to slow down the progression of your myopia in children.
Do I/ my child have to wear the lenses every night?
After wearing their ortho-K lenses overnight, your child should be able to see clearly without their glasses or contact lenses for a whole day. After a few months of wearing OK lenses, you can skip a night occasionally and still have relatively clear vision (although perhaps not quite as sharp) on the next day. This then gives children more freedom and confidence. The freedom to swim and play sport without the complexities of wearing contact lenses or glasses. However, for best results, your child should wear their ortho-K lenses every night.
At what age can my child start wearing ortho-k?
There is no age limit for Orthokeratology. As ortho-K has been shown to reduce or halt the progression of myopia (short-sightedness), it is one of the most common methods of vision correction in children as young as five years old and teenagers.