Spotlight: Ortho-K

This week I want to spotlight one of the lesser-known services we offer at The Eye Studio: Orthokeratology, known simply as Ortho-K. Ortho-K is a vision therapy for children and adults with mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia) and some with mild farsightedness (hyperopia). It uses reverse geometry to reshape the cornea (the front surface of the eye), flattening the curve of that surface to compensate for prescription and allow the eyes to see more clearly without glasses. Retainer contact lenses are worn overnight and taken out in the morning. Gradually, over the course of days, visual acuity is improved until the patient no longer needs to wear glasses in order to see clearly. This therapy is temporary: like an oral retainer, if the patient stops using the Ortho-K lenses, his or her eyes will return to their previous prescription.

The benefits of Ortho-K are simply put in the form of a question: What would you be able to do if you didn't have to wear glasses? You could swim, drive, bike, ski, all without the distraction and inconvenience of eyewear--dust, fingerprints, edge distortion, temperature and perspiration, to name just a few. You could wear fashion sunglasses, stock safety glasses, hats and helmets that would normally get in the way if you were wearing glasses. You would have a clear, full periphery available to you without wearing any kind of correction.

Ortho-K is also often prescribed for children because it has been shown in many cases to slow down the increase in prescription that naturally occurs as their eyes grow. Wearing retainer lenses at night is actually safer than even wearing disposable contacts in most cases, as you wear them for less time (8 hours vs. 15+ hours in most contact wearers). And because it is non-surgical and completely reversible, it can be a good alternative to Lasik surgery. Not everyone can be treated with Ortho-K. The best way to find out if you are a candidate is to schedule a free consultation. Check out more details at our website: www.the-eyestudio.com.