Myopia, or nearsightedness, has become an increasingly pervasive epidemic, particularly because of the growing popularity of technological devices that cause eye strain. To combat this, more and more practitioners have begun to use orthokeratology, a technique that uses contact lenses to reshape the cornea. It is a powerful weapon that has been helping to slow the progression of childhood myopia.
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, utilizes rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, which are typically made of hard plastic and allow flow of oxygen to the eye. Most typically, patients wear the lenses while they sleep and then remove them in the morning when they wake up, and they should experience close to 20/20 visual acuity throughout the day. The process is repeated every night.
For overnight wear purposes, the lenses are fitted in a particular way that uses reverse geometry to temporarily alter the curvature of the cornea so that during the day the patient can see clearly without the use of contact lenses or glasses. The orthokeratology lenses are purposely fitted to be flatter than the natural curvature of the patient’s cornea so the reshaping can occur more effectively.
Ophthalmologist examines patient’s eye.
Image Source: bluecinema
Some patients make better Ortho-K candidates than others. Orthokeratology treatment would most benefit you if you are a(n):
- patient with dry eye who cannot wear soft daytime contact lenses
- athlete who dislikes the hassle of glasses or daytime lenses
- patient who wants a non-surgical alternative to LASIK
- laboratory worker who cannot wear soft lenses due to exposure to chemicals
- patient who has myopia less severe than -4.00 diopters and astigmatism less severe than -1.50 diopters
It is important to note that a safety concern involved is the thinning of the corneal epithelium, or the outermost layer of the cornea. This makes the eye considerably more susceptible to infection, particularly corneal keratitis. In addition, the pressure of the lens on the cornea can cause unwarranted corneal toricity, or astigmatism, which refers to imperfections and deformities in the corneal curvature.
Despite its disadvantages, orthokeratology is a great treatment that works to temporarily reverse myopia and holds great promise within the world of rapidly advancing bioengineering technologies and developments.
