Ortho-K (Ortho-Keratology)
Orthokeratology offers a unique alternative to
daytime use of
contacts, glasses and laser eye surgery with no invasive procedures
or permanent ocular change. Ortho-K contact lenses
gradually reshape the
eye at night while you sleep, giving clear vision without contact
lenses or glasses
during the day. The effect is fully reversible when you stop wearing
the contacts.
Ortho-K is ideal for vision correction for sports people, especially
water-sports. OrthoK is an option for people who cannot wear
contact lenses during the day due to dry eyes.
Ortho-Keratology is currently only available for
shortsighted (myopic) people.
Myopia Progression Reduced with OrthoK
There is evidence that shortsightedness gets worse
more slowly in
children who are using Ortho-Keratology. It is common to see
significant increases in shortsightedness every year in children and
teenagers between the ages of ten and twenty. It has been
shown that children in this age group who have had
Ortho-K have a similar amount of myopia when they cease
ortho-k to when they started it - even if they have been doing it for a
few years. This is different to the normal progression of myopia, which
tends to get worse quickly at this age. There is no
scientific proof for this yet, as it is very difficult to perform the
experiments to a scientific standard in a significant number of people.
However, the anectodal evidence is so strong, that it is
widely accepted that orthokeratology slows the progression of myopia.
Risks with Ortho-K
The risks of ortho-keratology are the same as the
risks for contact lens wear. There is a higher risk of eye infection
such as conjunctivitis and keratitis for all contact lens wearers
compared to people who do not wear contact lenses. Therefore
hygeine is vital. Contact lenses must be cleaned and
maintained according to the recomendations of the optometrist.
Comparison of Ortho-K to Lazer Refractive Surgery
(LASIK)
Laser surgery permanently alters the eye by burning parts of the cornea
away with a laser. The eye is permanently altered, but this does not
mean that vision will be good permanently. Vision can still change and
glasses may be required again. For people with unstable vision Ortho-K
is an option when LASIK is not.
Most of the time people who have LASIK are very happy with the outcome.
However, those who aren't happy cannot reverse the procedure and go
back to how they were previously. With Ortho-K the process will reverse
itself when OrthoK is discontinued.
Common complications with LASIK are glare sensitivity and dry eyes.
If you are interested in finding out if
Ortho-K is appropriate for you, please make appointment with us at Carrum Downs Eyecare.
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