IS ORTHO-K THERAPY PERMANENT?
No. If you stop wearing the Ortho-K lenses, your vision will return to its original state within one to four weeks.
CAN THE ORTHO-K CONTACT LENSES DAMAGE MY EYES?
Any contact lens has the potential to cause an infection in your eyes. Research shows the rate of infection using Ortho-K lenses is less than half compared to overnight wear of extended wear soft contact lenses.
Using correct hygiene and lens care regimes as well as replacing the lenses every one to two years significantly reduces the risk of Ortho-K related complications.
A poorly fitted Ortho-K lens can result in corneal staining, which comprises the outer layer of the cornea, and increases the risk for infection. Rather than fit Ortho-K lenses through trial and error using a diagnostic lens from a trial case, Dr. Pezeshk uses a specialized tool called the Medmont Corneal Topographer to take thousands of data points of the corneal shape in order to customize a lens to fit your eye.
CAN I SEE WITH MY ORTHO-K CONTACT LENSES IN THE EYE?
Yes, while the back surface of the lens reshapes your eye, the front surface of the lens provides clear optics for your vision. One of the great features of Ortho-K is your vision will always be clear whether the lenses are in or out of the eye. That means if you get up at night you will still be able to see. We do not recommend wearing your Ortho-K lenses during the day as this may compromise corneal health and vision over time.
DO I NEED TO WEAR MY ORTHO-K LENSES EVERY NIGHT?
During the initial period of therapy, you will need to wear your lenses every night to ensure clear vision during the day. As the correction stabilises, some people with low prescriptions may still get great daytime vision by wearing the lenses only every second night. However, this is not guaranteed. Patients requiring higher prescription correction with Ortho-K will most likely need to wear the lenses every night for optimum vision.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I FORGET TO WEAR MY LENSES FOR A NIGHT?
Most people will notice a slight deterioration in the quality of their vision the next day due to the cornea slowly changing back to its original shape. Restarting the Ortho-K therapy the next night will restore your vision within a day or two.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REACH GOOD VISION?
Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of therapy. Usually, after the first night of wear, 50% of the required correction is achieved. Optimum, stable vision for most will require between 10-14 days of treatment depending on the prescription.
HOW OFTEN WILL I HAVE TO REPLACE MY ORTHO-K CONTACT LENSES?
The recommendation is to replace your Ortho-K lenses every one to two years depending on their condition. Timely replacement of the lenses maximises the quality of the Ortho-K reshaping, as wear and tear will compromise its effect over time. Regular replacement decreases the chance of infection or inflammatory events from a scratched or dirty lens.
WHY SHOULD I NOT JUST GET LASER VISION CORRECTION?
The cost of Ortho-K vision correction is much less than the cost of laser vision correction. Ortho-K is completely reversible and does not have the potential to worsen your dry eyes to the same extent as laser correction. Also, as patients reach their mid-forties and start needing help for their near vision, Ortho-K therapy can be modified to give clear vision at all distances without a pair of glasses, unlike a one-off laser procedure.
HOW LONG DOES THE MYOPIA CONTROL EFFECT OF ORTHO-K LAST?
The myopia control effect will last as long as you use your Ortho-K lenses. There is no research or anecdotal reports of patients ‘rebounding’ after ceasing Ortho-K contact lenses. It’s expected that patients who start Ortho-K contact lens wear for myopia control continue to use these until their early twenties when myopia tends to stabilise. The decision to stop Ortho-K should be made with your optometrist, and prescription and eye length should be closely monitored for possible regression. In most cases, patients are so happy with their Ortho-K lenses that they continue to wear them well into adulthood!
WHAT COSTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN MY ORTHO-K FITTING PROGRAM?
You will need purchase solutions to store and clean your lenses, as well as lubricating drops for lens insertion.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
A full eye exam is required within the past year - you will then book a free consultation for the orthokeratology program with our optometrist, Dr. Pezeshk. The overall health of the eye, as well as vision and corneal shape, will be assessed to establish if your eyes are suitable.
