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Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a specialty contact lens treatment that allows patients to see clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. It is commonly used for myopia management in children and as a glasses-free option for active individuals, such as athletes. Let’s discuss the Ortho-K benefits you need to know about.
What Is Ortho-K and How Does it Work?
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K contact lenses are specially designed rigid lenses that are worn overnight to reshape the cornea. In the morning, the lenses are removed, leaving the wearer with clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses, daily wearing of contact lenses, or surgery. Ortho-K lenses are custom-made using precise measurements to fit each individual eye.
Overnight, the gentle pressure of the rigid lenses temporarily reshapes the cornea, allowing light to focus correctly within the eye. The shape of the eye determines where light falls, and for patients with myopia, excessive elongation of the eye means that light falls short of the retina. When light doesn’t land on the retina, it results in blurry vision that can interfere with daily life.
Overnight vision correction is particularly beneficial for children and athletes who typically struggle with traditional corrective methods. For many athletes, it can be dangerous to wear contact lenses or glasses while participating in their sport due to the possibility of injury and infection. Children, on the other hand, may find it challenging to keep track of their glasses or stick to the hygiene requirements of contact lenses.
Can Ortho-K Improve Focus in the Classroom?
Clear vision in classroom settings is essential. Students must constantly shift their focus between the whiteboard, their teacher, textbooks, tablets, and classmates. If glasses continually slide down, fog up, or feel uncomfortable, they can be a distraction. Children may also avoid wearing their glasses due to bullying or discomfort. Very young children are also more prone to losing their glasses, which can become expensive.
Orthokeratology removes the barriers that cause discomfort and self-consciousness during the day. Students can wake up, remove their lenses, and go to school with clear vision. Orthokeratology shifts lens care to the home environment, which can be beneficial for youngsters who cannot yet take on the responsibility by themselves and may need help from their parents. Student eye care is fundamental as it can set them up for success at school and in social situations.
How Does Ortho-K Help Athletes?
Orthokeratology for athletes can have a significant impact on performance and safety. Glasses can slip, fog up, or break during physical activity, especially during contact sports like martial arts and football. Wearing contact lenses can be equally challenging because they can become dislodged or trap dust against the eye. Wearing contact lenses while swimming increases the risk of eye infection because pool, lake, or sea water is not sterile and can adhere to the lens and prolong exposure of the eye to harmful microorganisms.
During sporting activities, clear and stable vision is critical for safety and precision. Ortho-K overnight lenses allow athletes to perform at their best without the risk of losing a lens, foggy glasses, or trapped sweat and dust. Athletes need complete peripheral vision to track other players, judge distance accurately, and react quickly. In bright or high-contrast environments, glasses can interfere with peripheral vision and contribute to glare, which may impact visual clarity when quick reaction times are required.
What Role Does Ortho-K Play in Myopia Management?
One of the most significant benefits of Ortho-K for children and teens is its role in myopia control. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is common among school-age children who spend long hours doing near work such as reading and homework. Many schools utilize tablets and laptops as educational tools, which can be damaging without proper management. Uncontrolled myopia is also associated with a higher risk of vision‑threatening conditions, such as retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and early cataracts.
There is extensive research that demonstrates how effectively Ortho-K can slow the progression of myopia in children compared to glasses and standard lenses. By shifting how light focuses on the retina, Ortho-K reduces the stimulus that causes excessive elongation. For parents who are concerned about their child’s rapidly changing prescription, Ortho-K can serve two purposes: clear daytime vision and myopia management.
What Should Patients Expect From Ortho-K?
When fitted and monitored by an eye care specialist, Ortho-K treatment is a safe and effective option for students and athletes. As with any contact lenses, proper hygiene is critical for avoiding irritation and infections. Parents of young Ortho-K patients must take responsibility for following cleaning instructions, attending regular follow-up appointments, and reporting any discomfort, redness, or vision changes immediately.
Children as young as seven or eight may be good candidates depending on the severity of their myopia and their parents’ commitment to lens care. Parents should prepare their child for the initial strange feeling of the rigid lenses and explain the importance of the treatment. We have found that preparation and explanations help children adapt and embrace the lenses faster. Because Ortho-K lenses are worn while sleeping, the strange sensation fades once the wearer closes their eyes. After the first two weeks, the lenses shouldn’t cause any discomfort and only minimal awareness.
Find Out if Ortho-K Is Right for You
If you think Orthokeratology lenses may be the solution you’ve been looking for, contact Weston Contact Lens Institute to schedule a consultation. Ortho-K offers an advanced alternative for patients who have struggled with traditional vision correction, providing clear daytime vision and effective myopia management for both children and adults.
