Orthokeratology FAQs
What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology or ortho K for short, is the process of reshaping the cornea (the front surface of the eye) with a customized contact lens worn at night. Many studies have found Ortho K to be the most effective way to reduce myopic progression in children and young adults^.
How does it work?
Worn at night, the ortho K lens, uses its unique shape, and eyelid force to generate hydraulic (liquid) forces to encourage epithelial cell migration from the central cornea, to the mid-peripheral cornea. This results in the effective flattening of the central cornea, and steepening of the mid-peripheral cornea, changing its refractive power and now allowing the patient to see things far away as if they were wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Who is suitable?
Ortho K is best suited for patients with myopia of -0.75D to -6.00D. However depending on corneal shape, higher prescriptions can be treated.
A healthy cornea and tear film is essential for safe ortho K lens wear. Your optometrist will assess the health of your eyes with a biomicroscope. This allows them to see the different layers of the cornea, and assess the quality of your tear film.
Some medications, in particular systemic acne medications, may cause a reduction in tear film quality. Ortho K may still be possible, with tear supplements and lubricants, however this may be a contraindication for ortho K.
Does it hurt?
The lenses used for ortho K are made from a rigid oxygen permeable plastic, and thus would feel like having thick eyelash in your eye. Each lens however is designed using corneal topography where the optometrist takes a three dimensional map of your corneal shape. This precise fitting, reduces the discomfort and means that you will eventually after a few nights wear, hardly notice them in your eyes at all.
Ortho K requires a fair amount of patient maturity and younger patients may struggle with the initial discomfort. The optometrist will take into consideration the parents opinions for younger patients.
Is it safe?
Yes. Fitted by a qualified orthokeratologist, ortho K is one of the safest (non-spectacle) options for correcting myopia, especially for school-age children. Many parents take comfort in their kids wearing the contact lenses at home, under their supervision, instead of wearing contact lenses at school or at sports such as swimming.
We recommend that all patients use a self neutralizing peroxide based lens cleaner daily, to reduce chances of infection and contamination of lenses.
Unlike laser surgery, ortho K is also fully reversible.
Is it expensive?
Ortho K is no more expensive than soft contact lens wear. It is also more affordable than constantly updating spectacles with very prescription change.
Ortho K lenses need to be changed every 18-24 months. Replacement lenses are significantly cheaper than the first pair.
" In addition to the cost, inconvenience, and complications associated with traditional optical and surgical correction strategies, myopia is associated with ocular complications that can lead to permanent vision loss. Excessive axial elongation in high myopia increases the risk for cataract, glaucoma, chorioretinal degeneration, and idiopathic retinal detachment 1 –3 and is a leading cause of permanent visual impairment " ^
How do I gets started?
Contact us for a booking so we can assess whether ortho K is right for you or your child.
