Myopia management is essential for protecting your child's vision, and Ortho-K offers a non-surgical solution. Ortho-K lenses reshape the cornea overnight, enabling clear daytime vision while slowing the progression of myopia. Find a top optometrist near you to discuss Ortho-K today!
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision issue where distant objects look blurry because light focuses in front of the retina instead of right on it. Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a non-surgical method using special rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight to correct vision during the day and slow myopia progression by gently reshaping the cornea.
Myopia happens when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved. Beyond just making far-away things blurry, high myopia increases risks for severe, vision-threatening issues later in life.
High myopia stretches and thins the retina, increasing the likelihood of tears or detachment, which can cause sudden vision loss or blindness if untreated.
This condition affects the macula, the central area for sharp vision, causing permanent damage that severely impairs detailed sight such as reading and recognizing faces.
Myopia raises the risk of glaucoma, a disease where increased eye pressure damages the optic nerve, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss if not managed early.
People with myopia tend to develop cataracts earlier in life, leading to a clouding of the eye’s natural lens and a reduction in vision quality.
While a family history predisposes individuals to myopia, activities such as prolonged close-up work like screen time and reading, combined with insufficient outdoor exposure, can accelerate its progression.
Starting myopia management early is key because nearsightedness progresses fastest in the early years, often between ages 6 and 12, when the eye is growing quickly.
During these peak growth years, the eyeball can elongate quickly. Without control measures, myopia can worsen substantially in a short amount of time.
Interventions like Ortho-K can reduce this elongation by up to 60 percent. This significantly lowers the risk of developing high myopia and its related complications.
We recommend an initial screening by age 6, followed by regular eye exams. These check-ups allow your doctor to monitor progression and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Controlling myopia progression early helps maintain better vision throughout life and decreases the likelihood of developing serious eye diseases associated with high myopia.
Ortho-K lenses are worn while sleeping to gently flatten the central cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without needing glasses or daytime contacts.
The lenses apply gentle hydraulic pressure to the cornea’s surface. This temporarily changes its shape to adjust how light focuses onto the retina for clear vision.
In addition to correcting central vision, Ortho-K creates peripheral myopic defocus. This is a visual signal that tells the eye to slow down its elongation, effectively controlling myopia progression.
Because the cornea’s shape is temporarily altered overnight, patients enjoy clear vision all day long after removing the lenses in the morning, free from any corrective eyewear.
The vision-correcting effects of Ortho-K are temporary and reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, the cornea will return to its natural shape over a few weeks.
Ortho-K is an effective myopia management strategy for various groups, particularly those for whom traditional methods may be less suitable or desired.
Ortho-K is ideal for children aged 6 to 12 whose myopia is worsening rapidly, as it helps slow progression during their key growth periods.
It is beneficial for teens with a family history of high myopia or heavy near-work habits, reducing their long-term risk of developing serious eye diseases.
This treatment offers freedom from glasses or contacts during sports, swimming, and other outdoor activities, supporting an active lifestyle without interference.
Many Ortho-K lens designs can correct low levels of astigmatism at the same time as myopia, improving overall visual clarity.
The Ortho-K treatment journey involves a precise evaluation, customized lens fitting, and ongoing monitoring to ensure safe and effective myopia management.
The process begins with a full eye exam, including vision testing and corneal topography, which is a detailed mapping of your eye’s surface to create a personalized lens design.
Specialized rigid gas-permeable lenses are custom-made to reshape your cornea safely while maximizing the flow of oxygen to the eye.
Lenses are worn during sleep and removed in the morning. This routine allows you to enjoy clear vision throughout the day without daytime glasses or contact lenses.
Follow-up appointments every six to twelve months are essential to check corneal health, monitor myopia progression, and assess the lens condition and fit.
Good hygiene is the most important factor for safe wear. Proper cleaning, handling, and storage of lenses with approved solutions significantly reduce the risk of infection and maintain eye health.
Take the first step towards clearer vision today! Find a top optometrist or ophthalmologist near you who specializes in Ortho-K to discuss your myopia management options. Your eye health deserves expert attention!
Adopting supportive lifestyle habits can amplify the benefits of Ortho-K treatment and contribute to slower myopia progression and better overall eye health.
Spending at least two hours outdoors daily exposes the eyes to natural light, which has been shown to help reduce the progression of myopia in children.
When doing near work, take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple habit helps to relieve eye strain.
Maintain a healthy distance of 30 to 40 centimeters (about 12 to 16 inches) between your eyes and screens or reading materials to minimize accommodative stress.
Ortho-K offers a proven way to correct vision and control myopia progression in children and teens. Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with an eye care specialist to determine if orthokeratology is right for your family’s needs and to create a personalized treatment plan.
Take the first step towards clearer vision today! Find a top optometrist or ophthalmologist near you who specializes in Ortho-K to discuss your myopia management options. Your eye health deserves expert attention!
Discover effective myopia management with Ortho-K, encompassing overnight lens wear to prevent progression. Find an expert near you now!
