Sleep your way to great vision with Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)!

Wouldn't it be great if you could be free of glasses and contact lenses throughout the day, without having to undergo surgery?

The recent advances in contact lens design, combined with the latest technologies used to measure the exact dimensions of your eye, has made this possible! This treatment goes under a number of names including Ortho-K, Corneal Refractive Therapy and Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT).

Regaining clear vision is so easy you can do it with your eyes closed!

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) and low degrees of 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. For some people, 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 can also help slow down 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.

The treatment 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 and astigmatism?

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 the eye cannot focus objects further away clearly on the retina (the back inner surface of the eye that relays visual information to the brain).

Astigmatism is also a common focusing condition of the eye. 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.

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 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, is eliminated.

Ortho-K is a safe and effective, surgery free method of managing your myopia and low to moderate 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 and mild to moderate astigmatism. When the lenses are removed upon waking you have clear, natural vision.

The goal is that within the first 1 to 2 days of starting the treatment, you have good functional vision. Full correction of myopia is usually noted by day 7-10 or sooner. The speed of corneal reshaping may vary from one individual to the next, but usually you 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 it 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 yrs 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.
  

• Ortho-K can 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?

Ortho-K 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 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 and low to moderate 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 less curvature to eliminate the short 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. Ortho-K lenses are then precision fitted using the results of the corneal scan to gently reshape your corneas towards less curvature to eliminate the short 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.

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

How safe is Orthokeratology?

• 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 the advanced Ortho-K design has enabled a new level of accuracy to be achieved.

• The safety and effectiveness of Ortho-K 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)?

• Good 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 can 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 120 days interest free and 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.