Frequently Asked Questions.
What is Ortho-K?
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is also known as corneal reshaping therapy. It is a non-surgical procedure that aims to improve your vision while you sleep. Ortho-K lenses are custom designed, rigid, and breathable.
Ortho-K lenses painlessly reshape the cornea by flattening its surface in order to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness and astigmatism. When you remove the lenses in the morning, you will be able to see clearly throughout the day without the aid of glasses or contacts. If Ortho-K is discontinued, the effects are completely reversible as the cornea and prescription returns to it its original shape and power.
Is Ortho-K right for you?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you are a candidate for Ortho-K:
Has your child’s nearsightedness been getting worse every year?
Are you looking for an alternative to glasses, daytime contact lenses, or laser refractive surgery?
Are you unable to wear contact lenses due to allergies?
Do you live an active lifestyle and prefer playing sports without glasses/daytime lenses?
Does your child often lose their contact lenses/glasses?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, come chat with us about ortho-K!
Why are children good candidates?
Studies indicate that Ortho-K treatment can prevent your children’s nearsightedness from getting worse. Children under the age of 15 are especially susceptible to myopia, but the rate of myopia progression slows down by half after the age of 15. Your child may also be an especially good candidate if they have a tendency to lose or abuse their contact lenses/glasses, or if wearing them interferes with their active life.
Is age a factor?
All ages can benefit from orthokeratology, including children with progressive myopia. Teenagers and adults can also benefit from orthokeratology, although people under 40 generally have the best success rate.
Are there risks?
Ortho-K is a safe and reversible procedure. Similar to the risks associated with wearing regular contact lenses, these custom designed rigid lenses can increase the risk of eye infections and cause some discomfort for the first couple of weeks while you adapt to wearing a hard lens. By following proper disinfection and care procedures, wearing your retainers and coming in for regular progress check ups, you can greatly reduce these risks.
Will insurance cover this treatment?
Consult your insurance provider, as each company is different. However, if you have a health spending account, it may offset some costs. Talk to us if you have any questions! On a case-by-case basis, Eyelab can help work out a payment plan.
Is Ortho-K a new treatment?
Although Ortho-K may sound new, this technology has been around for some time. In fact, Ortho-K was granted FDA approval in 1994. Six years later, more educational and research papers demonstrated Ortho-K is an effective way to slow the progressive of myopia. The reason why ortho-K is not widely used is because there are few clinics that currently have the technology or training to recommend orthokeratology.
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