Understanding Orthokeratology: A Non-Surgical Solution for Clear Vision
Introduction
If you have less than perfect vision, especially if you’re short sighted, you may think that your options are glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery. Not so, there is another safe, well-established alternative. Orthokeratology gives clear sight all day without the need for specs or contact lenses or surgery.
How Does Orthokeratology Work?
The cornea, the transparent part of the front of your eye, acts as a lens. If your eyesight is not clear and you need glasses, then we add lenses to this to give the required total for perfect vision. In orthokeratology we alter the corneal lens power overnight using a contact lens to change the curvature required to give you clear vision. When you take the lenses out on waking your corneas maintain the required shape throughout the day.
In laser eye surgery the surgeon burns away some of the cornea to change its shape to the required lens. That’s the difference – orthokeratology moulds the cornea overnight, laser burns some of the cornea away.
Advantages of Orthokeratology
There are many advantages but for me the main one is the freedom that it provides. This is especially helpful for those with an active lifestyle, a physically demanding job or for many sportspeople. Rugby players, swimmers and contact sports such as boxers or martial arts are the ones that spring to mind.
The treatment is very convenient as the lenses are worn overnight where they gently mould the shape of the cornea. When you wake in the morning, the lenses are removed, and you are left with clear vision throughout the day. When you’re into the swing of it it is no more arduous than your daily tooth brushing routine.
The process is non-invasive and reversible. If you decide to cease wear, then your eyes just go back to how they were when you started.
Benefits of orthokeratology compared to laser eye surgery
Laser eye surgery is very popular and successful, but it does have drawbacks. In my experience, patients can find discomfort through chronic dry eyes, visual problems and, eventually, prescriptions creeping back requiring glasses again.
Many people are uncomfortable at the thought of surgery to their eyes and concerned about possible risks. Orthokeratology does not carry these risks – it is completely reversible.
A fascinating recent development is the field of myopia management. When a child becomes short sighted their prescription gradually increases year on year until adulthood. Orthokeratology has been shown to significantly reduce, and in some cases completely stop, the gradual deterioration leaving the patient with much better sight as they go into adulthood.
In similar vein, laser eye surgery is not possible in eyes that do not have a stable prescription. Again, for orthokeratology this is not a problem as adjustments can be made if the eyes change.
Disadvantages of orthokeratology
The most serious potential complication is corneal infection, but the chances of this happening are small if good hygiene is followed.
During the initial adaptation period it can be uncomfortable when you first put the lenses in. This disappears when you close your eyes for sleep and gradually subsides as you get used to the lenses each day.
The major drawback is the limitations on prescriptions that can be treated. The ideal range is myopia up to –5.00 dioptres with a small amount of astigmatism. Higher prescriptions can, and are, treated but it is a more complicated process.
In conclusion
Orthokeratology offers a tried and tested, safe, non-invasive method of vision correction. It gives you freedom from glasses or daily contact lenses all through the day. Your optometrist should be able to advise if you would be suitable.
You may like to take a look at our orthokeratology page where you can find out more about what is involved
Here is a new ortho k wearers perspective
Here is a great Youtube video going into more depth about orthokeratology