Ortho-K Reshapes the Cornea to Reduce Errors in Refraction

There are many names for Ortho-K. They are Orthokeratology, overnight vision correction, corneal refractive therapy and CRT. There is a gas permeable contact lens created to reshape the cornea to reduce the errors or refraction causing myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. This is used as an alternative for refractive surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses. This is used for the patients within the range of 6.00 diopters.

Contact Lens Worn Overnight
Ortho-K is that gas permeable contact lens is worn overnight. This lens reshapes the cornea and the next day the patient is able to see clearly.

1.It mainly corrects the refractive errors in nearsightedness, hyperopia and astigmatism.
2. In some cases, it is used to correct presbyopia too.
3.The progression of myopia is reduced in children.
4.The lens used should be highly breathable as it is worn overnight.

Mainly the eye doctor should have enough experience to decide which type of lens is suitable for the patient. Normally the doctor advises the patient to wear these lenses to wear them for more than three days to get the best results. Maybe the patient will not have to wear the glasses or contact lens anymore after this treatment. The limit is 6.00 diopters of myopia corrected using Ortho-K. There are many other corrections like astigmatism, hyperopia and presbyopia where lesser degrees are corrected.

Each Patient Differ
Every patient has different case history. The amount and type of refractive error are managed with Ortho-K. After examining the eyes the doctor would be able to give a specific guidance to the patient. The people with mild myopia are the good candidates for this treatment. Here the reshaping of the cornea is temporary and there is absolutely not much risk involved in the treatment. The patient can discontinue wearing the glasses after the treatment. But when myopia returns it is better to wear the glasses again.

Young adults and children not candidates for LASIK are good for Ortho-K. People working in the dusty environment also can go for this treatment. This is performed by skilled Optometrist and Ophthalmologists. Ortho-K is a specialized way of fitting contact lens. The eye doctors have to take special training for this treatment. Mostly a 20/20 vision is expected after this treatment. Myopia is considerably less progressive in the children undergoing this treatment.

Eye Doctor Decides
The eye doctor measures the curvatures of the cornea with a corneal topographer. This gives the topographical map. The doctor may decide to fit the Ortho-K the same day or may order for a custom one and fit it the next day.

A series of temporary lenses are needed for getting the desired prescription. In most of the cases at least three pairs of the lenses are needed to get the correct effect. After wearing the Ortho-K Lens of A Plus Optometry, the patient may have the feeling of the lens on the cornea until falling asleep. As days pas the patient gets used to this. For some, it may take one or two days and for some, it may take a few weeks for getting a perfect vision.