When you hear about orthokeratology (ortho-k), you may think that it's an eye condition. However, ortho-k is a way to help correct your vision problems. At Riviera Opticare in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ, we offer this innovative means of correcting your vision. Find out more about orthokeratology and if it's an option for you.
What Is Orthokeratology?
Ortho-k is a technique where a specialty contact lens is used to shape your eyes while you sleep. These lenses reshape your cornea while you sleep, which is why they also go by the generic term: corneal reshaping lenses.
How the lenses work, is that you wear the lenses every night while you sleep and take them off during the day. You then awaken with your vision fully corrected with removal of the contacts. The benefits of wearing the lenses, is that you can see more clearly throughout the following day without needing glasses.
Signs That You May Benefit From Orthokeratology
If you have nearsightedness, astigmatism, or even farsightedness, you may qualify for ortho-k treatment. Talk to your doctor if you have to regularly wear glasses or contacts for mild problems with your vision. You could be able to use ortho-k as a way to play sports or go to work without worrying about contacts falling out or glasses getting broken.
Ortho-K Treatment
Orthokeratology treatment starts with a fitting. Your eye doctor will take measurements of your corneas to find the correct lenses for your eyes. You will then have to wait for your custom lenses that your eye doctor prescribed to come in.
Each night, you will wear your ortho-k lenses when you go to bed. At the beginning of treatment, you may experience the sensation of the lenses on your eyes until you fall asleep. Over time, this feeling disappears as you get more used to wearing the lenses to bed.
Depending on the level of severity of your vision problem the ortho-k process must correct, you could see results in a couple of days or a few weeks. Because the lenses change the shape of your corneas while you sleep, you may notice some blurred vision or halos at first. However, after a few nights of wearing, your vision will become clearer, stay clear longer and halos improve. Talk to your eye doctor about these symptoms. You might need glasses to correct these minor issues temporarily until your corneas adjust.
Once the lenses successfully change the shape of your corneas, you should be able to see at 20/40 or 20/20 without the need for glasses or contacts during the day.
These lenses also have the benefit of helping reduce the progression of nearsightedness, or myopia, in children. The early use of these lenses can prevent your child from becoming more and more near-sighted. Ask your doctor if this is a recommended treatment for them.
Set an Appointment to Talk to an Optometrist about Ortho-K
If you are interested in learning if orthokeratology is the right option for you, contact one of our Riviera Opticare clinics in Scottsdale or Mesa, AZ, to make an appointment. You will have a comprehensive eye exam and can talk to the optometrist to determine if ortho-k could help you to see better during the day.