Who Is a Good Candidate for Ortho-k?
Ortho-k is the popular name for orthokeratology, the corneal reshaping therapy. It uses special gas permeable contact lenses that you wear when you are asleep. As you sleep, the lenses gently reshape the front of your cornea.
Ortho-k lenses serve two purposes. The first is correcting refractive errors. The second is slowing the progression of myopia in children.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
There are many factors in considering a good orthokeratology candidate. There are new ortho-k lenses that are also effective in treating hyperopia and presbyopia. The most common characteristics of good candidates are:
- Young children between the ages of eight and 12 with progressive myopia.
- Adults with low to mild nearsightedness.
- Low to moderate astigmatism.
- If you are afraid to go for surgery.
- Involvement in sports and water activities.
Patients with dry eye syndrome, high myopia, or large pupil size do not make good candidates.
Young Children
It is necessary for children who show a sharp increase in myopia. It is also effective for those who have a family history of progressive or high myopia. It reduces the rate of myopic progression.
Ortho-k reduces the greater risk of retinal detachment or glaucoma due to high myopia. It is safe and reliable. It is non-invasive. Surgeries like LASIK come with risks, so they are not for children.
Adults With Low Myopia
Ortho-k will help you see clearly during the day without needing lenses. It hinders the growth of the eye’s axial span. The inhibition of growth helps slow down the progression of myopia.
Low to Moderate Astigmatism
Studies show that ortho-k lenses are highly effective in reducing low to moderate astigmatism. The effect of corneal reshaping helps correct the refractive error. It flattens the front of the cornea, allowing light to reach the retina. In the first days, the vision may be blurry with glares and halos. But with time, it becomes clearer.
Afraid to Go for Surgery
Most people are afraid to go for LASIK because of the risks of surgery. However, ortho-k is non-invasive. Thus, the procedure is low risk. The effects of ortho-k are also temporary. You can stop wearing the lenses any time you wish, but this will reverse the effects. It means that you will either go for LASIK or get back to wearing glasses and contacts.
Water Activities and Sports
Water activities and sports do not agree with glasses and contact lenses. Ortho-k lenses are the best, as you get to wear them only at night. During the day, you are lens-free and you can go about your day-to-day activities. You have visual freedom to swim, play water sports, or do your activities without hindrance.
The goal of ortho-k therapy is to improve and correct your vision. Thus, expect it to get better. 90 percent of patients in FDA trials had their vision improved to 20/40 vision, while 65 percent had 20/20 corrected vision.
For more on ortho-k, visit TMS Eyecare at our offices in Wichita or Arkansas City, Kansas. You can also call (316) 669-4760, (316) 686-7212, or (620) 442-2577 to book an appointment today.
