Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K, is a revolutionary non-surgical treatment for myopia (nearsightedness) that has gained popularity in recent years. This innovative approach involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily, providing clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of Ortho-K lenses and how they can help manage myopia progression in both children and adults.
Understanding Myopia and its progression
Myopia is a common refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close-up objects remain clear. It typically develops during childhood and adolescence, with the degree of myopia often increasing over time. High myopia is associated with an increased risk of eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, highlighting the importance of managing its progression.
How Ortho-K lenses work
Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight while sleeping. The lenses gently reshape the cornea, flattening its central curvature and correcting refractive errors such as myopia. Upon waking and removing the lenses, the cornea retains its reshaped form, providing clear vision throughout the day. Regular nightly wear of Ortho-K lenses can slow down or even halt the progression of myopia in children and young adults.
Benefits of Ortho-K lenses
Ortho-K lenses offer several benefits for individuals with myopia, including:
- Slowing down the progression of myopia, reducing the risk of developing high myopia and associated eye diseases.
- Providing clear vision without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses, offering greater freedom and convenience.
- Improving peripheral vision and depth perception, enhancing overall visual performance for sports and other activities.
- Being a safe and reversible treatment option that does not require surgery or permanent alteration of the cornea.
Ortho-K lenses represent a groundbreaking approach to myopia control, offering a safe, non-surgical solution for managing myopia progression in both children and adults. By reshaping the cornea overnight, Ortho-K lenses provide clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses, while also reducing the risk of developing high myopia and associated eye diseases.
If you or your child have myopia and are interested in exploring Ortho-K lenses as a treatment option, schedule a consultation with the experienced optometrists at Lobb Optical in Invercargill. Our team can assess your suitability for Ortho-K and provide personalised guidance on achieving optimal vision and eye health with this innovative treatment.
