If your ophthalmologist has suggested ortho-K lenses, you may have queries about what to anticipate. In contrast to conventional contact lenses, which are worn during the day and withdrawn at night, ortho-K lenses are worn during sleep. Therefore, when you remove your ortho-K lenses in the morning, you will have clear vision until you reapply them at nightfall. Here are some details about what to anticipate when commencing this treatment.
Who can wear ortho-K lenses?
Ortho-K is a well-established treatment for myopia (nearsightedness) in individuals of all ages. Suppose your child has been diagnosed with myopia. In that case, ortho-K may be a particularly beneficial treatment, as it not only corrects their vision in the short term but also slows the progression of myopia, resulting in improved vision and fewer complications as they grow older. In general, people with myopia, whether they are seven or seventy, are excellent candidates for ortho-K. Individuals with modest to moderate astigmatism may also benefit from this therapy.
Initial appointment
At your initial consultation, we will determine if you are a suitable candidate for ortho-K lenses. This determination is assisted by a variety of cutting-edge technologies, including slit-lamp imaging, subjective and objective refraction, corneal topography, and ocular biometry. These tests and analyses allow us to ensure that your eyes are healthy, check your prescription, map the surface of your eyes so that we can create custom-fit lenses and more.
Follow-ups
When you receive your lenses, we will ensure a proper fit and spend considerable time instructing you on how to apply, remove, and care for your ortho-K lenses. Your vision may not be fully corrected at this appointment, so you may require transportation. While your ortho-K lenses continue to reshape your eyes, we’ll assess how your prescription has changed and, if necessary, provide impermanent soft contact lenses. You will continue to have follow-up appointments to monitor the progression of your eyes. Initially, these appointments will be more frequent, but as your eyes adjust, they will become less frequent; ultimately, you will only require quarterly appointments.
What is the duration of the vision correction?
The majority of patients will need to wear their ortho-K lenses every night, and the vision correction effect should last throughout the day. A few patients will need to wear their contact lenses every other night. Additionally, as long as you continue to wear ortho-K lenses, your vision should remain unimpaired. Many patients are so pleased with this treatment that they continue to use these lenses well into maturity, even if they began ortho-K as children. If you decide to discontinue the use of ortho-K lenses, you should inform your eye care professional so that they can monitor your eyes for possible regression.