Although there are more styles of eyeglasses than ever before, and contact lenses can make it possible for patients with a compromised vision to participate in activities such as swimming that were previously impossible for them, the fact remains that many people still dislike being reliant on prescription eyewear. Nevertheless, laser vision correction may also seem impossible. Fortunately, there is another that doesn’t involve wearing either glasses or contact lenses during the day, but that still enables you to see clearly. Its name is Ortho-K.

​​​​​​​What is Ortho-K?

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is relatively unheard of an innovative form of non-surgical ocular therapy that targets refractive eye problems that would ordinarily require someone to wear glasses or contact lenses. Refractive eye errors including near-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.

While Ortho-K still uses contact lenses, it utilizes them as a treatment rather than as a device to help you see. The Ortho-K lenses are worn while you sleep. You can remove them in the morning and should be able to benefit from clear vision all day long without the need for prescription eyewear. Ortho-K lenses can be worn by people of all ages, including children. In fact, studies have shown that kids are especially good candidates for Ortho-K.

How does Ortho-K work?

It may sound too good to be true, but Ortho-K really does work. Refractive eye errors are a result of the light entering our eye refracting incorrectly. This occurs because our cornea, which the transparent layer forming the front of the eye, is curved abnormally. Every patient’s eyes, including their cornea, are slightly different. The curve of the cornea can also change over time. When it is too thin or thick, or flatter or steeper than is needed for perfect vision, blurred eyesight follows. The less ideal the curvature, the more serious the disruption to your site is likely to be.

Ortho-K works by temporarily reshaping the cornea while you sleep. Despite how it sounds, it is a painless process and it should have no impact on your ability to sleep soundly at night. The curves of your lenses combine with natural tear production to that cornea takes on a more spherical shape while you slumber.

Your Ortho-K lenses will be created specifically for your eyes and based upon a type of imaging known as topography. Topography accurately measures the curvature of your eye and uses this information to design and create your custom-fit Ortho-K lenses. These are made from high quality, breathable material which enables sufficient oxygen to reach your eyes while you sleep and will help prevent dryness and other issues commonly experienced in patients who wear contact lenses overnight.

How long will I need to wear Ortho-K lenses?

Ortho-K isn’t an instant fix, but you may start to notice a definite improvement in the quality of your eyesight after just one session of wearing your lenses. Nevertheless, the majority of patients will have to wait a little longer to see an improvement in their vision – up to six weeks in fact. Most eye doctors will recommend that you continue to wear your Ortho-K lenses every day to ensure that your new, clearer eyesight can be retained.

If you would like more information about Ortho-K, or if you would like to arrange an appointment to see if you can benefit from this service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced eye doctors at our offices in West New York, NJ today.