Orthokeratology Contact Lenses
Orthokeratology contact lenses are great for individuals who find wearing corrective lenses during the day cumbersome but are not ready for LASIK or PRK eye surgery to correct their vision. Ortho-K lenses work by reshaping the cornea at night, which helps light focus correctly on the retina. When light is focused correctly on the back of the eye, visual acuity increases, and many individuals experience 20/20 or better vision after wearing corneal reshaping lenses at night.
Using Corneal Reshaping Lenses
Corneal reshaping lenses are hard contact lenses, which are also called gas permeable lenses. These lenses fit snugly against the relatively soft and flexible cornea. Over the course of the night while you sleep, your cornea will slowly conform to the shape of the lens. In the morning, you will remove the lenses, clean them and put them in their cases before going about your day. You will not need another form of vision correction as long as you wear your new lenses nightly. If you ever want to go back to wearing traditional glasses or contacts, all you have to do is stop wearing your orthokeratology lenses.
Benefits of Orthokeratology Lenses
- Completely reversible and safe
- Corrects nearsightedness and farsightedness
- Can correct presbyopia and astigmatisms
- Custom fitted for your eyes
- Great for children, teenagers and adults
- Great for individuals who can’t have or don’t want eye surgery
- Worn at night while you sleep
- Great for individuals who have problems wearing traditional glasses and contact lenses
Ortho-K Lenses with Our Ophthalmologist
Dr. Nathan Anderson your San Diego ophthalmologist can examine your eyes to determine if orthokeratology contact lenses would be right for you and your lifestyle. The process of getting Ortho-K contact lenses involves examining your eyes to determine your vision correction prescription then precisely mapping your cornea. Once all the tests have been completed, the information is sent to the laboratory where your new contact lenses are manufactured.
Once they arrive at Anderson Ophthalmology, we will call you to pick up your new lenses, make sure they fit correctly and to develop a wear schedule. In the beginning, you’ll probably have to wear your Ortho-K lenses every night, but as your eyes acclimate to the new lenses and your cornea holds the new shape for longer periods of time, you may be able to reduce your nightly wear to a few times a week. Most individuals notice maximum vision correction after two weeks of nightly wear.
Some individuals may need up to three sets of lenses to achieve maximum results. If this is the case, you’ll wear each lens in succession for a specific period of time until your cornea achieves the desired shape. Once the desired corneal shape is achieved and your vision has improved, you’ll wear a retainer lens, which is designed to help your cornea hold its new shape.
To schedule an appointment to see if Ortho-K lenses would be right for you and to get your questions answered, call us today at 800-462-8749.