The Benefits of Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) for Vision Correction

Nearsighted people who want to wear contact lenses have several options. However, one, in particular, stands out, and for all the right reasons. Known as Orthokeratology or Ortho-K, they work incredibly well to correct mild to moderate cases of myopia or nearsightedness. However, they do a lot more.

A Great Solution

Ortho-K contact lenses not only correct myopia but also correct mild cases of astigmatism. In addition, eye doctors prescribe them for people with farsightedness or hyperopia, as well as those with presbyopia. The latter occurs as a person ages, making it difficult to focus on anything. Even more exciting, these contacts work great for children too.

There’s another reason why people love Orthokeratology lenses. Typically, people can’t wear contacts if they work in a dirty or dusty environment. Even a speck of dirt would cause significant discomfort. However, these contacts are different. For that reason, they’re ideal regardless of the environment.

Compared to other contacts, Ortho-K lenses are much better for physically active people. They fit comfortably, remain securely in place, and provide excellent vision correction. Whether you play sports for fun or competitively, you should talk to your eye doctor about Ortho-K contact lenses.

These contacts do such an amazing job at correcting vision problems that they’re a perfect alternative to LASIK surgery. So, if you want great vision without having surgery, Ortho-K is worth considering.

Getting Started

Similar to other brands, it usually takes a few weeks for the Ortho-K lenses to provide optimal correction. However, it’s not uncommon for people to notice a dramatic improvement in their vision within two to four days.

Remember, Ortho-K lenses aren’t ordinary contact lenses. Instead, they’re designed to reshape the cornea. Most often, people only wear the contacts at night, but that all depends on what the doctor recommends.

During the reshaping process, your eye doctor may need to change the lens prescription several times. In addition, you might need to wear as many as three pairs of contacts for them to work. The goal is to achieve the best vision correction possible.

Once the cornea retains the desired curvature, the eye doctor will transition you from temporary Ortho-K lenses to retainer lenses. That’ll ensure the cornea doesn’t change. After all, a person’s vision can reverse if they don’t wear these contact lenses as directed by their eye care specialist.

Achieving 20/20 Vision

For someone with myopia, seeing 20/20 is nothing more than a dream. However, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that’s what orthokeratology can achieve. So, if you’re tired of wearing glasses or squinting to see, why not do your eyes a favor by talking to your eye doctor about Ortho-K?

Our experts at Eyecare Association Optometric Group can help you improve your vision, using Ortho-K or other methods. Call us today at 626-804-3266 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit our office in Azusa, California, for an in-person consultation with us.