Orthokeratology lenses, or Ortho-K lenses, are an innovative non-surgical vision correction solution. Ortho-K lenses allow patients with myopia to enjoy temporarily corrected vision during the day. Orthokeratology is an excellent option for patients interested in alternative vision correction methods. This advanced technology allows for greater freedom to participate in physical activities without concerns about lost lenses or damaged glasses.
What Is Ortho-K?
Ortho-K lenses are rigid, unlike traditional soft lenses, because they are designed to gently reshape the corneas to correct refractive error. The lenses are inserted before bed and are worn overnight while the patient sleeps. Upon waking, they remove the lenses and have clear vision that lasts throughout the day. With consistent nightly wear, the effect can last for 24-72 hours, but the effects will gradually dissipate.
Ortho-K lenses are specially designed to gently reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. Beyond correcting vision, Ortho-K is also an effective method for slowing the progression of myopia.
Myopia is a progressive condition that often advances quickly in children and adolescents when not properly managed. Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of long-term eye complications, including retinal thinning, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. Early and proactive treatment helps protect eye health and maintain clearer, more stable vision over time.
How Do Orthokeratology Lenses Work?
The cornea plays a critical role in the clarity and focus of near and distant objects. Myopia is the result of corneas that grow too long from front to back, which causes blurred distance vision. Ortho-k lenses apply gentle pressure on the elongated cornea to redistribute corneal cells and flatten the curve. During sleep, when the eyes stay closed and the tear film stabilizes, ortho-k lenses mold the corneal surface into the ideal shape for accurate light refraction.
Orthokeratology provides painless overnight vision correction that doesn’t damage or irritate the ocular surface. In the morning, the cornea retains its new shape, providing clear vision without glasses or daily lenses. Ortho-k treatment works because the corneal epithelial tissue is malleable, meaning that the shape can be altered with minimal pressure. However, due to the body’s natural rate of cellular turnover, the cornea will always return to its original shape.
Are Ortho-K Lenses Safe?
Safety is always a concern with contact lens wear, particularly overnight wear. Patients are typically advised to remove their lenses at night, but ortho-k lenses are intended for overnight wear. Ortho-k lenses have some risks, but they are considered safe when they are prescribed and monitored by a qualified eyecare practitioner. Proper hygiene and lens care also play crucial roles in orthokeratology safety.
Orthokeratology lenses are made from highly oxygen-permeable materials to ensure the cornea receives the oxygen it needs. Because the cornea has no blood vessels of its own, it depends entirely on oxygen from the air, and insufficient oxygen, known as hypoxia, can lead to irritation, blurry vision, and corneal swelling. If hypoxia persists, it may cause more serious complications such as corneal neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth) or microcysts. Using high-Dk materials helps maintain corneal health and minimizes these risks.
Orthokeratology lenses are custom-made to fit each eye precisely. Every pair of ortho-k lenses is customized to the patient’s unique corneal shape using corneal topography mapping. The personalized approach to ortho-k lenses allows for increased comfort and a reduced risk of corneal stress or abrasion. During your follow-up appointments, your doctor will monitor your corneal health, lens fit, and vision status so problems can be addressed immediately.
We also educate our patients on the importance of lens cleaning, storage, and handling to minimize the contamination risk. When your lenses are ready for collection, we will explain how to insert and remove them safely and how to keep them safe when you aren’t wearing them. Ortho-k lens care is not complicated, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, you can only use special cleaning solutions because water can introduce dangerous bacteria.
What Are The Benefits of Ortho-K for Myopia Control?
Orthokeratology myopia control lenses have become an invaluable tool, especially for managing disease progression in children. Ortho-k changes how light is focused across the retina, which effectively slows the elongation of the eye. In some cases, elongation happens gradually over several years, but it can also progress rapidly, increasing the severity of their nearsightedness and the risk of associated diseases.
Myopia can be managed with proper medical supervision and should not be underestimated. The potential for vision-threatening conditions in later life makes progression management vital for myopic children. While adults can benefit from ortho-k lenses, children can reap immense rewards from nightly orthokeratology lens wear. Parents must prioritize myopia management to safeguard their children’s future eyesight and ocular health.
Experience The Benefits of Overnight Ortho-K Lenses
Orthokeratology contact lenses offer innovative non-surgical vision correction that reshapes the cornea overnight while the patient sleeps. Ortho-k offers freedom from traditional vision correction methods and, most importantly, myopia control. If you believe your child may be myopic or you’re looking for alternative safe vision therapy, contact Weston Contact Lens Institute. We are here to help you protect your child’s vision and future eye health.
