Orthokeratology CRT & VST
Imagine a world without glasses during the day! It is best known as OrthoK, and these are contact lenses that are worn only at night so that you don’t have to wear contacts or glasses in the daytime.
Orthokeratology CRT & VST
Imagine a world without glasses during the day! It is best known as OrthoK, and these are contact lenses that are worn only at night so that you don’t have to wear contacts or glasses in the daytime.
What is Ortho-K?
By wearing rigid gas permeable lenses overnight, orthokeratology can correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism, so it becomes unnecessary to wear corrective lenses during the day.
For ortho-k, gas permeable (GP) lenses are inserted at bedtime and worn while sleeping.ut the night, the lenses reshape your cornea gently so that your vision becomes clear on the following morning. The correction is temporary, and ideally no eyeglasses or contact lenses will be needed on the next day or two. In order to maintain sharp visual acuity on a daily basis, you need to wear the ortho-k reshaping lenses every night.
Currently, the FDA has approved three brands of orthokeratology contact lenses. Euclid Emerald, which is usually prescribed for myopia control, Paragon Vision Sciences, which manufactures Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), and Bausch and Lomb, who manufacture Vision Shaping Treatment (VST).
Best Candidates for Ortho-K
Orthok is excellent for nearsighted individuals who do not qualify for surgery to correct their vision, such as children. People of all ages with healthy eyes can use ortho-k, namely because it can be discontinued at any time without permanently damaging the eyes.
It is also convenient for people who need vision correction and engage in sports regularly or work in a very dusty, dirty environment.
How Does Ortho-k Feel?
While some people may find wearing regular gas permeable contact lenses daytime uncomfortable, ortho-k GP lenses are worn while you sleep – so discomfort or awareness of the lenses is not an issue.
Vision Results from Orthokeratology
Success rates for ortho-k are generally higher for more mild vision prescriptions. The ideal goal is to provide 20/20 vision without any need for eyeglasses or contacts during the day.
According to FDA trials conducted on both CRT and VST lenses, more than 65% of ortho-k patients achieved 20/20 visual acuity. A whopping number of more than 90% of ortho-k patients achieved 20/40 vision or better (this is the legal requirement for driving without vision correction in most states). Consult with your eye doctor to find out if your vision prescription is within range for successful ortho-k treatment.
Note that although improvement in vision is generally reported within a day or two of wearing ortho-k overnight, the full effects may not be experienced until the lenses are worn for a few weeks. During this transition period, your vision will probably not be as crisp as it was with regular contacts or eyeglasses, and glare or halos around lights may be visible. Until ortho-k works fully, a temporary pair of eyeglasses may be required for specific actions, such as driving at night.
Is Ortho-k expensive?
Your eye doctor will have to perform a series of appointments to fit you for ortho-k. Contact lenses are also typically required. The cost of ortho-k lenses is higher than standard contacts. Basically, ortho-k costs more than regular contact lenses.
LASIK after Ortho-k
Ortho-K is considered a non-surgical alternative to LASIK by some. Yet, it is still possible to perform refractive surgeries, such as LASIK, after wearing ortho-k lenses. The reason you need to stop wearing the lenses before undergoing LASIK is that ortho-k works to reshape the cornea.
Ortho-K lenses should be disclosed to your LASIK surgeon, and you will be advised of how much time you have to wait before having the laser treatment.
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