How ortho-k works
GP contact lenses are used for the ortho-k treatment. They are applied at bedtime you will have them in overnight, removing them in the morning. This treatment is unique in that it is done while you sleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) to correct your vision, so you can see clearly without glasses or contact lenses when you’re awake. In Northern Colorado we have noticed that the effect is generally enough to get you through a day or two – so you must wear the GP contact lenses every night to maintain good vision during the day.
Today, there are two brands of orthokeratology approved by the FDA for use in the USA: Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) from Paragon Vision Sciences and Vision Shaping Treatment (VST) from Bausch & Lomb.
Who is a candidate for ortho-k?
Orthokeratology is frequently a good option for nearsighted individuals who are either too young for LASIK surgery or for some other reason are not good candidates for vision correction surgery such as they have Dry Eye. This treatment is quite versatile; it can be stopped at any point without permanent change to the eye and people of any age can try the procedure, as long as their eyes are in a good state of health.
Ortho-k is usually a favorite option of people who participate in sports, or who work in dusty, dirty environments like construction that can make contact lens wear difficult or nearly impossible at times.
What results can you expect from ortho-k?
The ultimate outcome that you would be looking for with ortho-k is to have vision correct of 20/40 to 20/20 without eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day. In FDA trials of both CRT and VST lenses, more than 65% of patients were able to achieve 20/20 visual acuity after wearing the reshaping lenses overnight for a period of time. More than 90% were able to see 20/40 or better (the legal vision requirement for driving without glasses in most states).
Here in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, the success rates for the ortho-k treatment tend to be higher for mild prescriptions. Please call our office and speak with our knowledgeable staff to find out if your vision correction prescription is within the range that can be successfully treated with ortho-k.
How long does ortho-k take?
Even though most people see some type of improvement in their vision after a day or two of overnight ortho-k, it may take several weeks to see the complete results of the treatment. During this in between time, your vision will not be as clear as it was with glasses or contacts, and you are likely to notice some glare and halos around lights. It is also a possibility that you might need a temporary pair of eyeglasses for certain tasks, such as driving at night, until your vision is fully corrected by the ortho-k contact lenses.
Is ortho-k comfortable?
There are some people in Northern Colorado who have had comfort problems when attempting to wear gas permeable contact lenses during the day. But since ortho-k GP lenses are worn at night while you sleep, the comfort and lens awareness issues are virtually non-existent.
Cost of orthokeratology
An ortho-k fitting is a significantly longer process than a regular contact lens fitting. It will require a series of office visits (because your eyesight changes over a period of time and needs to be monitored) and potentially multiple pairs of lenses. Also, the GP lenses used for ortho-k are more expensive than most regular contact lenses. Because of these reasons the fees for orthokeratology are higher than fees for a regular contact lens fittings.
Can I have LASIK after ortho-k?
Yes, it is possible to have a LASIK surgery after orthokeratology. But because ortho-k lenses reshape your cornea, you will need to stop wearing the lenses for an extended period of time (usually several months) so that your eyes have the opportunity to return to their original shape and stabilize. You will also need to talk with your LASIK surgeon and let them know that you’ve worn ortho-k lenses. They can then advise you on how long you should wait before having the surgery.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 970-204-4020 or click on the link on the side of the page.
