Ortho K

Ortho K to correct Myopia (Short Sightedness)

Ortho K (Orthokeratology)

Orthokeratology or OrthoK reshapes the curvature of your cornea temporarily while you sleep. By reshaping your cornea, light can focus properly on the retina resulting in natural, clear vision. Most patients enjoy seeing clearly all day long without the use of glasses or daytime contact lenses. OrthoK is a proven method to decrease myopia progression in children and young adults.

Orthok is non-surgical and completely reversible. Your cornea will return to its original shape if you stop the treatment of wearing your lenses overnight. To discuss Ortho K correction please book an Appointment with our Optometrist James Devereaux

Ortho K Pros

· Suitable for both children and adults

· OrthoK has been proven to slow myopia progression

· Reduced dependency on glasses and daytime contacts

· One pair of lenses can last 12-36 months – this can actually be cheaper than other forms of Myopia control or soft daily lenses over time

· Non surgical intervention for patients not eligible for laser surgery

· Great for active patients who require correction and spectacles and contact lenses aren’t appropriate.

Ortho K Cons

· Greater risk of infection compared to daytime soft or hard contact lenses. However, if the correct cleaning regime is followed the risk of infection is very low

· Slight deterioration in vision if lenses are not worn the previous night

· Poorer vision in initial 7-10 days while cornea is reshaping, this can be overcome with soft contact lenses or old pairs of spectacles with lower prescriptions.

Who is suitable for Ortho K

· Prescriptions from -0.25 to -5.00 with low levels of astigmatism (under -1.00)

· Children and teenagers who are progressing myopes

· Adults who would like to be spectacle free during the day

· Adults who are having issues with soft lens comfort during the day

· Motivated patients- there are many appointments in the fitting process

· Adequate corneal curvature to flatten. Our optometrist can advise you regarding your eye’s suitability for OrthoK.

Fitting Appointments

1. Initial consultation: This is a full comprehensive consultation to check your prescription and the health of your eyes. This consultation will provide us with information regarding your suitability for OrthoK. At this appointment we will put drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils to take scans of your macula and optic nerve head as part of our comprehensive eye examination

2. Topography Measurement: If you are suitable for OrthoK this is where the process begins (this can be completed at the initial consultation if you would like to proceed). At this appointment we will take measurements of the curvature of the front of your eye. At this stage your optometrist will custom order your lenses to your eye shape and prescription.

3. Delivery Appointment: At this appointment your optometrist will teach you how to insert, remove and clean your lenses. This appointment takes 1 hour.

4. 1-2 Days after delivery appointment to ensure lenses are beginning to reshape the cornea and to refresh you on the insertion, removal and cleaning.

5. 2 weeks after delivery– in the morning

6. 4 weeks after delivery– in the afternoon- to ensure that the prescription is holding throughout the day. For Myopia control the axial length will be measured at this appointment as a baseline to ensure that the eye is not growing too quickly.

If at this stage if the lenses are not working as expected we will re-order your lenses with modifications at no charge and the process from step 4 will begin again.

7. Review every 6 months.