Ortho-k

Orthokeratology or ortho-k as it is popularly known helps to correct nearsightedness while you sleep!

In ortho-k you have to wear special contact lenses while you are sleeping, which reshape the surface of your eye allowing you crisper and clearer vision even after you remove your lenses. The effect of course is only temporary and lasts for about 24 hours.

Although doctors have been practicing Ortho-k for years, it was not FDA approved and often displayed mixed results. In June 2002, finally, the FDA granted approval for overnight wear for a type of corneal reshaping called the Corneal Refractive Therapy. As it gained popularity, new manufacturing methods and lens designs for ortho-k treatment followed with high success rates.

Myopia or nearsightedness is caused by light refracting on to the eye in such a way that its focus on the retina is incorrect. Such a problem is usually corrected by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses to refocus light rays for better vision. Similarly, this result can be achieved by reshaping your cornea through ortho-k.

Ortho-k lenses were originally worn during the day, but the recent experiences of wearing them overnight has shown more benefits. The absence of dust, foreign bodies or dry eyes is likely to be less. Lenses are less likely to be damaged or lost. Moreover, the waking day becomes free of both contact lenses and spectacles and thus preferred.

Most of the vision improvement occurs over a course of ten to fourteen days. It is advisable to monitor the progressive changes in the corneal reshaping. Although the advances in technology have made the procedure possible with one pair of lenses, often it is necessary to fit a series of lenses in progressive stages. The process stabilizes over the next few weeks and may take anything from three to six months to complete. This will also depend on the degree of myopia and the rate of response of the cornea.

Read more on Advantages and Disadvantages of Ortho-K