What is Orthokeratology?

So, you don't want to wear glasses/contact lens and you don't want to go for LASIK or other laser surgeries? Orthokeratology might be what you are looking for!

With Orthokeratology - Ortho-K, Contacts Reshape the Eye

In orthokeratology, contact lenses are used to temporarily reshape the clear front covering (cornea) of the eye to alter light rays and change where focus occurs within the eye to achieve sharper vision.

Orthokeratology (ortho-k for short) offers the advantage of short-term use (overnight wear), while leaving the individual free of contact lenses or spectacles during the day.

Past criticisms of ortho-k have been aimed at inconsistencies in visual outcomes. But an Australian optometrist, Tibor Weisz, says that modern methods of measuring and assessing the cornea have helped eliminate those problems. And according to Weisz, ortho-k is gaining increasing acceptance in Australia.

(Costs of ortho-k contact lenses for reshaping the eye are estimated to be about the same as a two-year supply of standard contact lenses.)

Weisz agreed to answer questions about ortho-k in more detail for the About.com Vision section:

Could you briefly explain orthokeratology and its history?

Orthokeratology (ortho-k), which has been practiced since the 1960s, is a non-surgical procedure in which we use special contact lenses to gently and gradually reshape the surface of the eye.

The modern technique uses FDA-approved gas permeable lenses to correct vision overnight. On waking, you remove the lenses and you can then see clearly all day without prescription glasses or contact lenses.

What are materials and designs of ortho-k lenses, and how do they differ from regular contact lenses?

Orthokeratology or ortho-k lenses, using rigid gas permeable lens materials, should not be confused with the old hard contact lenses made of polymethylmethacrylate that did not allow oxygen to pass through to the eye.

Rapid advances in ortho-k lens technology here in Australia have followed the use of special polymers in lens design. The latest ortho-k lenses provide improved oxygen flow to the cornea (even better than most soft contact lenses), making them a significant contributor to better eye health.

Why do you believe ortho-k is a better option than other vision correction methods such as eyeglasses, regular contact lenses, or surgery?

Ortho-k is not suitable for every condition, but for most patients the recent advances in rigid lens polymer technology mean we can achieve sharper vision and greater convenience. Ortho-k lenses are more durable and more resistant to the build-up of proteins. Because it is a non-invasive, completely reversible process, ortho-k is a no-risk procedure, unlike most surgery.

What are complications associated with ortho-k, and how frequent are they?

There are no complications associated with the topographical mapping procedure, which is a quick, non-invasive process. The ortho-k lenses pose no risk with proper use and regular cleaning as directed.

This type of contact lens is worn on the eye for only 6-7 hours per day, compared with regular soft contacts, which are worn for 14-16 hours a day. This is why ortho-k lenses have fewer complications than regular contact lenses. Occasionally, ortho-k lenses may need to be lubricated in the morning to facilitate easy removal.