Orthokeratology, commonly known as OrthoK, is gaining traction among parents, patients, and eye care practitioners. It is a non-surgical option for vision correction and myopia management.
But what exactly is OrthoK, and how does it work?
The Basics of OrthoK
OrthoK is a specialized type of contact lens therapy. It is designed to temporarily reshape the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye. This reshaping is primarily aimed at reducing nearsightedness (myopia) and eliminating the need for daytime glasses or contact lenses.
OrthoK lenses are worn overnight, and as you sleep, the lenses gently flatten the central cornea, which corrects the eye’s refractive error. When the lenses are removed in the morning, the reshaping allows the patient to experience clear vision throughout the day (without the need for daytime glasses or contacts).
The key here is that this effect is temporary, typically lasting about 24-48 hours, meaning the lenses must be worn every night to maintain clear vision.
How Does OrthoK Work?
The cornea, being flexible, can be reshaped by specially designed OrthoK lenses. These lenses create subtle changes in the curvature of the cornea, making it flatter in the center, which reduces nearsightedness. As the central cornea flattens, the peripheral cornea becomes slightly steeper. This shift changes how light enters the eye, particularly how it focuses on the retina.
Interestingly, these changes in corneal shape also create what are called “peripheral defocus” or optical aberrations on the retina.
These are not the blurry, undesirable aberrations, but a special type that plays a key role in myopia management. Research has shown that these optical signals can slow the growth of the eyeball, which is the primary cause of myopia progression.
This is particularly important for children, as myopia tends to worsen as they grow.
Why Choose OrthoK?
One of the standout benefits of OrthoK is the freedom it offers from wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day.
For active children, athletes, or anyone who finds glasses or daytime contacts inconvenient, this can be a game-changer. Since OrthoK lenses are worn only at night, there’s no need to deal with the challenges of maintaining clear vision during activities like swimming, sports, or outdoor adventures.
Saving Kids from Myopia
OrthoK’s ability to slow the progression of myopia has made it a popular choice for parents looking to protect their children's long-term eye health.
Studies have shown that children who undergo OrthoK treatment tend to experience a slower progression of myopia compared to those who use traditional corrective methods. This can reduce the risk of developing high myopia, which is associated with more severe vision problems later in life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
Particularly in an environment where near focus work on computers and phones is essential, finding ways to offset the potential myopia risk is critical for parental consideration.
Who is a Good Candidate?
OrthoK is typically recommended for children and adults with mild to moderate nearsightedness (-.5 to -5.0), although it can sometimes help with mild astigmatism as well.
Children who are at risk of progressive myopia are particularly good candidates, as the treatment can both correct their vision and slow the worsening of their condition. Adults who find wearing glasses or contact lenses inconvenient, especially in professions or sports that require freedom from eyewear, may also benefit from OrthoK.
If you or your child is dealing with nearsightedness and you’re looking for an alternative to traditional vision correction, OrthoK may be worth considering.
Consult with your eye care practitioner to find out if OrthoK is the right fit for your vision needs!
If you are an eye care professional, feel free to reach out to info@getpeeq.com to be put in touch with Dr. Chapman.