What are orthokeratology lenses?
Orthokeratology, or Orthok, lenses are a type of hard contact lenses that are worn at night to help improve vision in people with short sightedness (myopia).
They can be used instead of distance glasses or contact lenses. These lenses last up to six months.
How do they work?
As you sleep, the lenses reshape a small area of the cornea at the front of the eye.
This reshaping is completely painless and reversible.
In the morning, you remove the lenses and clean and store them as you would any reusable contact lens. And then, enjoy a day without distance glasses!
Who can use them?
Most short sighted can use these lenses, as long as:
- Your prescription is -5.00D or below
- Your astigmatism is less than -1.00D
- Your eye shape is suitable.
Your optometrist will be able to tell you whether you are suitable during a sight test or contact lens appointment.
Myopia management
Myopia, or short sightedness, is becoming more common. It usually begins in the early teens and typically gets progressively worse until around the age of eighteen. Short sightedness means that you need to wear distance glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, but that’s not all; people with short sightedness are more likely to develop eye problems like retinal detachments and glaucoma later in life. In some cases, these problems can cause reduced vision or even loss of sight.
Orthokeratology lenses have been found to significantly slow the progression of short sightedness in children. Most children use orthokeratology lenses with no problems. You can speak with your optometrist to see if orthokeratology would be right for your child.
If you do not think that orthokeratology lenses are suitable for your child, there are other Myopia Management options available. You can get Myopia Management spectacle lenses or Myopia Management daily soft contact lenses at Davies and Jones Optometrists too! Ask your optometrist for more information.
How do I get orthokeratology lenses?
- See your optometrist for a sight test. They will be able to tell you if you are suitable for orthokeratology lenses
- Attend your initial orthokeratology appointment. During this test, your optometrist will explain more about the lenses and fitting process. They will double check your vision and the health of your eyes and take some extremely precise scans of your cornea. They will then order the lenses.
- Once the lenses arrive, we will teach you how to use them, clean them and store them safely.
- After you have worn them for one night, we will check you first thing in the morning to ensure things are going well.
- You will have another appointment once you have worn the lenses for two weeks to make sure that your vision has settled.
- Once you and your optometrists are happy, you will be signed off on the lenses.
- You will then attend the practice for a checkup every six months.
When can I get orthokeratology lenses?
It does take several appointments to be fitted with Orthokeratology lenses. It can also take up to two weeks for your vision to fully stabilise with the lenses. Due to this, we recommend that you do not start wearing orthokeratology lenses around any life events like going away on holiday, driving tests, school examinations etc.
How much do orthokeratology lenses cost?
There is a non-refundable £160 initial fitting fee. Following this, there is a £39 monthly direct debit for your ongoing care.
Is there a risk?
All contact lens wear has a potential risk of eye infection which, in rare cases, can cause vision loss. Wearing lenses overnight slightly increases that risk. However, if you follow guidance on hygiene and caring for your lenses, the chances of problems from your contact lenses is small.
We recommend contacting us immediately if you have any: pain or discomfort, red eye(s), changes to your vision or anything else unusual.
What are the results of Orthokeratology in the long term?
All forms of Myopia Management are still very new. Because of this, there is little evidence on how long-lasting the effects of the treatment will be, although the results of the clinical studies is promising. Further research is currently investigating this further.
Myopia Management does not cure short sightedness. Its aim is to slow down the worsening of myopia, hopefully reducing the risk of eye problems in later life.
Other questions
If you have any questions that weren’t covered here, please give us a call or pop in to practice where our team will be happy to help.
For more information about orthokeratology lenses, please visit this website.