It's normal to have questions about your new ortho-k lenses. That's why we've chosen a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you feel more at ease and confident about the process.
Do people call orthokeratology lenses by the other names I've heard?
The use of orthokeratology lenses is changing the field of eye care because they are a safe and effective way to change the shape of the cornea without surgery. These special lenses have different names, like Paragon CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) or VST, or Dream Lenses (Vision Shaping Treatment). And because there are so many ways to fit lenses today, you can choose an ortho-k method that works best for your eyes.
Our Ortho K lenses are made with the utmost care and 3D technology, which is much better than older ways of doing things. Our ability to be customized gives us unbeatable accuracy and the ability to handle increasingly complex prescriptions without sacrificing quality or results.
What are the risks of Ortho-K treatments?
Ortho K lenses give your eyes the best possible health and clarity, and the risk of microbial keratitis is only 0.07%, which is much lower than with traditional overnight extended-wear soft contacts. The key to keeping contact lenses safe is to follow your optometrist's instructions for proper hygiene. There is no extra risk when children wear Ortho K lenses compared to when adults do.
Is Ortho K safe and dependable?
Ortho K lenses are a safe and effective way to fix your vision, as long as they are given to you by an experienced doctor and you wear them as directed. Ortho K is the best choice for people who want a clear vision without sacrificing their health. It is rigid but made of breathable material and is made to be worn overnight.
People who don't take care of their regular contact lenses properly may be more likely to get infections, but at this clinic, our Ortho K patients have always had a safe and healthy vision. We make sure that all safety rules are followed, such as washing your hands before touching the contact lenses, using only sterile solutions to clean and store them, and not doing things like taking a shower or swimming while wearing them.
Who can get something out of Ortho K?
Laser eye correction may be helpful for professionals who want clear vision without having to wear glasses or contacts every day. People with sensitive eyes or allergies are especially at risk when they rely only on regular contacts for good vision. This is because computer screens can cause irritation and dryness, as can smoky places, dusty outdoor work sites, and air conditioning. Even people who are always on the go, like fitness fans and swimmers, will be happy with this innovative solution, which makes their vision clearer no matter where they are.
With OK lenses, kids can see clearly at school, on the field, in the pool, and everywhere else they go. Ortho K also treats myopia, which is short- or near-sightedness. This helps kids keep their vision problems from getting worse and avoids the risks that come with wearing glasses or daytime contacts.
What kinds of medicines can be taken with Ortho K?
Orthokeratology can fix most prescriptions, even those for myopia (short-sightedness), astigmatism (uneven eye shape), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and presbyopia (difficulty focusing with age). Most of the time, Ortho-K works best to fix nearsightedness with prescriptions between -1.00 and -6.00. People with very bad myopia may also be able to get partial corrections. Higher corrections are possible depending on the person's eyes and what they want to see. With today's more advanced lens designs, even mild astigmatism of up to about -4.00 can be fixed. At this facility, our skilled optometrist has been able to treat myopia with Ortho K up to a correction of -10.00.
Can Ortho-K lenses be worn by anyone?
There are no age limits on who can use OK lenses. Getting kids as young as 5 years old to wear OK lenses well. One of the best things about OK lenses for kids is that they can slow down or even stop their eyes from getting worse as they get older. Slowing the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) is very good for a child's long-term eye health because it lowers the risk of glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic macular degeneration, all of which are linked to high levels of myopia. Come in for a thorough Ortho-K evaluation with us to find out if you are a good candidate for OK lenses. We decide if you are a good candidate for OK lenses based on a number of factors.
How well does Ortho K keep people from getting nearsighted?
Orthokeratology is the best way to stop myopia from getting worse, according to many international studies that looked at how OK lenses affect how quickly myopia gets worse in children. OK lens treatment can slow the progression of myopia in children by about 50%, which means that the rate of progression will be cut in half. In many cases, even better results have been achieved. Even if the rate of progression slows down by 50%, a child who might have become short-sighted to the point of -8.00 without treatment is now around -4.00 after getting OK lens treatment. This is a much better result for the child's functional vision and eye health, and it lowers the chance that the child will develop serious eye disease in the future.
How does Ortho K slow down the progress of myopia?
Ortho K, unlike glasses, slows the progression of myopia by making your peripheral vision better. With Ortho K lenses, the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye, is changed in two ways. The cornea is higher in the middle and flatter in the middle. Because of this change in the shape of the edge of the cornea, the retina in the back of the eye can focus light better, which makes it less likely that the eye will grow. The abnormal lengthening of the eye slows down as a child's myopia gets worse.
How effective is Ortho K compared to other ways to treat myopia?
OK lenses are the gold standard for correcting myopia with glasses, while atropine eye drops are a common medicine that helps a lot of kids see better. Both of these methods use different pathways in the eye. Due to the fact that every child is different, some may respond well to one type of treatment while others may not. The many techniques we have give us more ways to treat your child's nearsightedness.
Soft contact lenses are a great way to control myopia, even though they don't work as well as OK lenses. For kids whose vision loss is getting worse more quickly, combining Ortho K treatment with atropine therapy has been shown to produce better overall results. This is called a synergistic effect, and it makes both treatments work better.
Can't I wear Ortho K if my eyes are dry?
We will check how dry your eyes are as part of a thorough check to see if you are a good candidate for OK lenses. Yes, most people, even those with dry eyes, can use good lenses. In fact, people with dry eyes may find that hard lenses are better for them than soft lenses because soft lenses take moisture from the eyes. Environment, like air conditioning and staring at a computer screen, can also cause dry eye symptoms, but this won't be a problem when you're sleeping and your eyes are closed. Many of our adult Ortho K patients switch from regular contacts to Ortho K because wearing contacts during the day makes their eyes dry.
How soon should I expect Ortho K to help my eyesight?
After the first night of wearing OK lenses, you will be able to see better. As your eye shape adjusts to treatment over the next one to two weeks, you'll see even more improvement and stability. As part of our orthokeratology fitting package, we give you a set of half-power glasses or soft contact lenses so you can get used to wearing them and still have a good daytime vision. With lower prescriptions, most people can get a good vision in less than a week.
How easy it is to wear Ortho K lenses.
During the first few nights, while your eyes get used to the lenses, you may feel a little something after putting them in and right before going to sleep. In a way, it's like having an eyelash in your eye. That is normal, so nothing to worry about. The feeling is mostly caused by your eyelid moving over the lens when you blink. When you close your eyes at night, your contacts won't wake you up because you won't feel anything. You'll know after a week that the lenses are pretty easy to wear.
Can you still see with the glasses on?
Yes, you can see even with your glasses on. We recommend putting in your OK lenses about 10 minutes before bed so they have time to settle in your eyes. If you wear glasses while you watch TV, you can still see if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
How long do I have to keep my contacts in each night?
For the best results and most vision correction, it's best to wear them at night for at least 6 hours and ideally 8 hours.
How often should I get a new pair of OK lenses?
We recommend getting new lenses every year for the best vision, comfort, and safety. Normal use can leave microscopic deposits, small surface scratches, and changes in the way the lens curves. Over time, these things will make treatment less effective.
How long can I keep doing the Ortho K therapy for my eyes?
You can keep getting Ortho-K treatment for as long as you want. Children who use Ortho K to treat myopia often wear OK lenses until their myopia has stabilized, which usually happens in their late teens or early 20s. However, many may choose to keep using OK lenses instead of glasses or contacts to correct their vision. Some people have worn Ortho K lenses for more than 20 years and have been happy with them the whole time.
How much does Ortho K cost?
Our comprehensive Ortho K Fitting Program starts at $1600 and includes all consultations in the first year, a set of specially designed OK lenses for the first year of treatment, an exclusive lens care package, unlimited after-hours support, and a backup pair of half-strength glasses or a supply of extra soft contact lenses. The price goes up as prescriptions and eye shapes get more complicated. By getting Ortho-K treatment, you can save less than a third of what laser eye surgery would cost. It costs $500 to replace a pair of OK lenses every year. Some rebates are given out by private health funds.
