What is it?

A revolutionary non-surgical, non-invasive, safe and reversible treatment to gently reshape the cornea (front surface of your eye) and modify or eliminate myopia (short sightedness), hyperopia (long sightedness) and astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea) while you sleep. Specialised space-age polymer contact lenses are used to achieve this.

With Ortho-K you achieve clear, lasting, comfortable vision after removal and throughout the day, without glasses, day time contact lenses or refractive surgery. Ortho-K slows down or even halts the progression of short-sightedness altogether!

Although Ortho-K has been practised for decades and many thousands of people have been successfully treated, it is only recently that high technology instrumentation has become available to accurately scan and digitally map the cornea. On the basis of these digital maps precision lenses are manufactured via computerised lathes that will achieve a controlled, precise and accurate reduction in the eye's optical imperfection. In conjunction with developments in high oxygen permeability contact lens materials this has enabled safe overnight wear.

The technique of modern Ortho-K is a safe and reversible alternative to refractive surgery which will also slow down or halt the progression of short sightedness especially in children and teenagers. This is known as 'myopia control' and is the only means of controlling myopia that has been repeatedly supported by rigorous and respected scientific research.

The cornea, whilst being mouldable, reverts to its original shape if lens wear is stopped - hence this procedure is completely 'reversible' and safe.

This Corneal Refractive Therapy is exceptional, specialised and is managed and fitted by eye care practitioners highly trained in this area.

To find out more about Orthokeratology contact us today at Visique on High Street Optometrists, Lower Hutt, Wellington to arrange a preliminary assessment and suitability screening to see if this great new advance is vision correction is right for you!

What is myopia?

Myopia, often called short-sightedness, is a common focusing condition of the eye.  In myopia, the eye ball tends to be longer than usual and therefore your eye cannot focus objects further away clearly on the retina (the back inner surface of the eye that relays visual information to the brain).

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is usually caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens inside the eye. The eye is therefore unable to focus objects clearly on the retina and the object of interest appears blurred or distorted.

What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as long-sightedness, is due to the eyeball being slightly smaller than normal. Because of this, when the eye is fully relaxed, vision is focused some distance behind the retina and vision is blurred. As a result your eye has to work harder than a normal eye at all distances especially with any form of near work such as reading or computer use leading to eye strain and blurred vision.

Why should I have Orthokeratology?

Ortho-K offers freedom from glasses and the hassle of wearing contact lenses during the day, enhancing your lifestyle if you require vision correction and giving you the clear natural vision you want, all day, every day.

If you are an active individual you can freely participate in sports without the interference of glasses or bother of contact lenses.  As these special lenses are worn while sleeping, eye irritation and dryness often associated with the combination of contact lens wear, extended computer use, air conditioning, outside dust, pollutants and allergens, are eliminated.

Ortho-K is a safe and effective, surgery free method of managing your myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

What if I have been unsuccessful with contact lenses before?

There is a good chance that you will still be able to succeed with Ortho-K. Many contact lens wearers discontinue wear because of dryness or discomfort. These symptoms are usually not an issue with Ortho-K because the lenses are only worn while you sleep. Also, because your eyes are not wearing lenses while awake they receive more oxygen to help maintain optimum eye health.

How does Orthokeratology work?

Similar in appearance to standard contact lenses, precision made, gas permeable lenses gently mould the central cornea (front of the eye) using 'hydraulic forces' in the tear film while sleeping. This reshaping of your cornea causes light to be focused properly on your retina, eliminating short-sightedness, long-sightedness and moderate astigmatism. When the lenses are removed upon waking you have clear, natural vision.

The goal is that within the first 2 to 3 days of starting the treatment, you have good functional vision. Full correction is usually noted by day 7-10 or sooner. The speed of corneal reshaping may vary from one individual to the next, but most clients will see 20/20 vision without any correction within days.

Does Orthokeratology have any advantages over Laser Eye Surgery or LASIK?

These are some benefits:

• Ortho-K is similar to laser eye surgery or LASIK but unlike laser eye surgery, the change induced is temporary, reversible and non-surgical and the effect is dependent on overnight lens wear. Unlike LASIK this Corneal Refractive Therapy does not involve permanently removing cells or tissue, but rather reshaping cells temporarily. For this reason, the inherent risks are minimal.
  

• Most surgeons will not treat a client until they are at least 18 years old but Ortho-K is FDA approved for children.
  

• Changes in prescription over time can be easily dealt with (no further surgery or enhancement procedures needed).

• Unlike the permanent changes from laser eye surgery, the Ortho-K procedure is reversible and does therefore not limit the option of considering laser eye surgery later in life should that be desired.
  

• Corneal Refractive Therapy will slow down or halt the progression of short sightedness as well as correct it.

• There is no post-operative recovery or discomfort or any of the risks of possible permanent side effects that can come with laser eye surgery.
  

• At less than 1/3 of the cost of laser eye surgery, Ortho-K is very affordable.

Why haven't I heard about Orthokeratology before?

CRT or Orthokeratology has been around for decades, however the recent advances in contact lens technology and digital corneal scanning has brought it to the forefront of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism control.

The practice of Ortho-K requires a great deal of unique technical skill and specialised equipment. Visique on High Street Optometrists has specialised and been accredited in this area of contact lens fitting.

We have achieved excellent results in the management of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

What does the initial Orthokeratology treatment involve?

1. The initial assessment includes a full eye examination and precise computerised corneal topographical scanning of the front of your eyes. This allows us to assess both the refractive status and health of your eyes and also to determine the likely effect of the treatment for you.

2. Ortho-K lenses are then precision fitted using the results of the corneal scan to gently reshape your corneas towards a change in curvature to eliminate the short sightedness or long sightedness. After your initial overnight trial has been evaluated the following day and any adjustments made the lenses will be worn when sleeping and the response evaluated after 1 week.
   

3. At the 1 week review we will re-map your corneas, monitor the Ortho-K lens performance and vision improvement. If needed the treatment effect will be refined, the treatment programme will commence and lenses will be prescribed to be worn every night initially. Depending on how your eyes respond, after several months many clients are able to reduce the number of nights per week they need to wear the CRT lenses to retain the correct shape.
   

4. Follow up appointments are arranged (30 minutes per visit) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and thereafter 6 monthly review appointments to ensure continued eye health, clarity of vision and that the treatment effect is stable.
   

How safe is Orthokeratology?

• CRT or Ortho-K has been prescribed by contact lens specialists for decades and many thousands of people have been successfully treated. However, it is only in the past few years that an advanced Ortho-K design has enabled a new level of accuracy to be achieved.
  

• The safety and effectiveness of CRT has been demonstrated in independent studies at Universities in New Zealand, Australia and the United States and has been approved by the FDA.
  

• Ortho-K lenses are made from a material that is extremely permeable to oxygen.
  

• As with all contact lenses, regular check-ups and lens replacement as recommended by Visique on High Street Optometrists are very important.
  

What are the advantages of Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)?

• 20/20 vision without spectacles or contact lenses during the day.
• It is a non-surgical procedure.
• It is reversible, modifiable and does not hurt.
• It will slow down or halt the progression of myopia.
• Using a well-established contact lens fitting technique and follow up care means that there are very few risks and no more than normal contact lens wear
  

To find out more about Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contact us today at Visique on High Street Optometrists, Lower Hutt, Wellington to arrange a preliminary assessment and suitability screening to see if this great new advance is vision correction is right for you!

See now, pay later

If you would prefer to begin your treatment immediately, and then pay for it over time, we have arranged deferred payment through GE Money Care Credit.

To find out more about GE Care Credit or to talk to us further about freeing yourself from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses during your busy day then contact us today at Visique on High Street Optometrists, Lower Hutt, Wellington.

Ortho-K (CRT / Corneal Refractive Thereapy) Videos

We've gathered together a selection of videos about Ortho-K, many of which will be helpful especially if you're currently an Ortho-K user.

You can find them right here.