Ortho-K Guide: Vision Correction Without Surgery

Ortho-K: A Comprehensive Guide

Orthokeratology, commonly referred to as Ortho-K, has emerged as a revolutionary approach to vision correction without the need for surgery. This non-invasive method, offered by EMME Visioncare, utilizes specially designed contact lenses, worn overnight, to gently reshape the cornea and provide clearer vision during the day. The technique has garnered attention for its potential to manage myopia and other refractive errors, offering an alternative for those who seek freedom from glasses and daytime contact lenses.

Key Takeaways:

• Ortho-K is a non-surgical approach to correct vision by reshaping the cornea using specialized lenses.
• It is particularly noted for its ability to manage myopia and other refractive errors.
• The lenses are worn overnight and removed during the day, providing clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
• Questions often arise regarding its safety, comfort, cost, and effectiveness in treating various eye conditions.

Table of Contents:

• What is Ortho-K?
• Who is Ortho-K for?
• How does Ortho-K work?
• What is the process of fitting Ortho-K lenses?
• Is the Ortho-K Lens Uncomfortable?
• Is Ortho-K Treatment Irreversible?
• Can Ortho-K lenses help to cure myopia?
• Is Ortho-K Safe?
• Is it Difficult to Wear Ortho-K Lenses?
• Can My Prescription be Fitted with Ortho-K?
• Is Ortho-K a good choice for me?

1. What is Ortho-K?

Ortho-K, or Orthokeratology, is a method of correcting vision that involves wearing rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses, provided by EMME Visioncare, are custom-designed to gently reshape the cornea, the front surface of the eye, altering how light enters the eye and is focused on the retina. The result is clearer vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

2. Who is Ortho-K For?

Ortho-K is primarily used to correct near-sightedness (myopia). While eyeglasses, regular contact lenses, LASIK, and PRK can also correct this vision problem, Ortho-K offers a non-surgical alternative for those who wish to be free from daytime corrective lenses. It's especially beneficial for athletes and those who find glasses or daytime contacts cumbersome.

Ortho-K is also recommended for children's vision correction. As vision can continue to change for some children into adulthood, LASIK and other vision correction surgeries aren't recommended until vision stabilizes. Although there's no concrete evidence, some studies suggest Ortho-K might slow down myopia progression in children.

3. How Does Ortho-K Work?

Ortho-K, or Orthokeratology, operates on a principle similar to dental braces. Just as braces apply pressure to teeth to alter their position, Ortho-K lenses exert gentle pressure on the cornea to modify its shape and enhance visual acuity. The cornea, a clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye, plays a pivotal role in the eye's focusing capability due to its flexible tissue. To tailor the Ortho-K lenses to an individual's eye, an optometrist at EMME Visioncare, will map and measure the cornea's surface using a corneal topographer. These lenses work by flattening the center of the cornea, changing the way light enters the eye. Made of rigid, gas-permeable material, they are robust enough to reshape the cornea while also permitting oxygen to pass through, ensuring the eye's health.

When the Ortho-K lenses are taken out, the cornea maintains its flattened shape temporarily, providing corrected vision without the necessity of glasses or day time contact lenses. However, this reshaping is not permanent. If the use of the lenses is halted, the cornea will gradually revert to its initial shape, leading to the return of the refractive error.

4. What is the Process of Fitting Ortho-K Lenses?

Achieving a successful ortho-k lens fit necessitates specialized equipment and expertise. In the majority of countries, an optometrist or eye doctor typically undertakes this procedure.

To determine one's suitability for ortho-k, it's essential to measure both the refraction (eye prescription) and the corneal shape profile (the clear dome at the eye's forefront). The corneal shape is gauged using a corneal topographer, an instrument that captures an image of a light pattern reflected on the eye. This image is then processed by computer software to create a simulated 3-dimensional representation of the cornea.

The computer-generated model of the cornea aids in determining the optimal ortho-k lens fit. For ortho-k lenses at EMME Visioncare, our optometrist crafts a bespoke ortho-k lens tailored just for you.

The meticulous lens selection and design process ensures that the ortho-k lens fits the eye seamlessly, much like a tailor-made suit. This method is so precise that even before the lens is placed on the eye, our optometrist can predict the likelihood of ortho-k's success.

If deemed appropriate, you'll be briefed on the necessary steps to finalize the lens fitting. Ortho-k fitting generally demands more appointments than standard daily soft contact lenses, primarily because ortho-k lenses are individually crafted.

The number of required visits for a successful ortho-k lens fit can fluctuate based on refraction and corneal shape. A typical schedule might include:

• Initial Measurements: Refraction and eye assessments to facilitate lens ordering.
• Lens Collection: Guidance on applying, removing, and maintaining ortho-k lenses.
• Post-first Night: A check-up after the initial night of lens wear to ensure success and reiterate lens care. Early signs of a good fit might be evident, but the full impact is usually seen after a week of overnight wear.
• One-week Check-up: This is when the full effect is typically observed, allowing the optometrist to evaluate if any lens adjustments are needed. Sometimes, the desired outcome might take longer, so don't be alarmed if results aren't immediate.
• Subsequent visits hinge on the need for lens adjustments: It's crucial to recognize that ortho-k lenses are custom-made, and wearing them is essential to gauge the eye's response. As the optimal fit is approached, these appointments become less frequent.

5. Is the Ortho-K Lens Uncomfortable?

It's natural to assume that reshaping the eye might be painful. However, despite the eye's sensitivity, discomfort is typically minimal.

Ortho-k lenses are either tailor-made for an individual's eye or chosen to align perfectly with the eye's contours. This precision minimizes potential discomfort. Yet, for those new to ortho-k, there might be a fleeting sensation akin to having a speck of dust in the eye. This feeling arises from the upper eyelid detecting the lens.

In response, the eye might produce tears, mistaking the lens for a foreign object like dust. But this reaction is temporary. With time, most users find that the lenses become so comfortable they barely notice them.

To correlate, consider ortho-k lenses like a new pair of shoes. Initially, they might feel a tad snug or unfamiliar, but after a few days of wear, they mold to your feet, becoming almost second nature.

6. Is Ortho-K Treatment Irreversible?

Orthokeratology, commonly known as ortho-k, temporarily reshapes the cornea. However, its effects aren't lasting. Within a few days of discontinuing lens wear, the majority of the corneal changes begin to revert. This is because ortho-k primarily modifies the cornea's outermost layer. By compressing certain areas and allowing others to expand, the cornea conforms to the ortho-k lens's profile. Once the lens is removed, the cornea starts its journey back to its original shape.

To visualize this, consider the impression you leave on a couch cushion after sitting for an extended period. Over time, the cushion regains its shape. Similarly, with ortho-k, consistent overnight wear deepens the corneal changes, much like sitting in the same couch spot repeatedly. Yet, just as the cushion always bounces back, so does the cornea.

Compared to laser surgery, which permanently removes corneal tissue, ortho-k's temporary nature has its advantages. It can be halted anytime, allowing the eye to revert to its original form. Studies indicate that most ortho-k effects reverse within a week of ceasing lens wear. This impermanence is especially beneficial for children, as it provides the flexibility to adjust the lens design in response to their growing and changing eyes.