Over the years, many different types of technology have arisen to help people deal with shortsightedness. Many decades back, contact lenses became a realistic solution for people who had to deal with heavy glasses, and eventually, laser surgery became an everyday option as well. Yet there is now another solution for people in this situation which is a great option for those who may not be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. What do you need to know about orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K?
Specialised Contact Lenses
Ortho-K treatment also involves contact lenses, although in this case, they're often called "night" lenses. In contrast to other hard or gas permeable lenses, these are highly specialised and are meant to be worn while you sleep.
During the overnight hours, these lenses will gently reshape the surface of your cornea, enabling you to have a marked improvement in your vision the following day. The improvement is temporary, and your cornea will gradually return to its original shape, so you will need to wear the lenses frequently in order to get the best results. However, this can nevertheless be a simple and non-invasive way to improve your quality of life.
Prescribed by Your Optometrist
These Ortho-K lenses may be worn by people of all ages in consultation with their optometrist. The lenses are prescribed and ordered by your optometrist, and they will conduct regular examinations to make sure that they are doing their job. If need be, the specialist can make adjustments to the lens design in order to get further improvements.
Small Side Effects
As with any eye treatment, some smaller risks are involved, and you may notice certain side effects. Occasionally, the surface of the cornea may swell (aka corneal oedema), but this is a side effect that could be linked to rigid contact lenses in general. Sometimes the lenses may irritate the eyes, causing redness or dryness, but as long as you maintain proper lens hygiene, you should reduce the risks as much as possible.
Assessing Your Options
Remember, this procedure has been carefully studied and may be the perfect solution for you. If you feel that you would wear these lenses regularly overnight, you should discuss the option with your optometrist. These lenses could be an affordable and simple solution to help you treat either myopia or (in some cases) presbyopia, so talk with your consultant for further information.
For more information on specialised contact lenses like Ortho-K lenses, contact a professional near you.
