Managing Myopia With Ortho-K

Most people with vision problems would love to correct their eyesight and reduce their dependence on contact lenses or eyeglasses. Did you know that you can achieve this goal without having to have eye surgery? This might sound a bit unlikely, but ortho-k makes it a reality for many people. 

What Is Ortho-K?

Ortho-k, or orthokeratology, is an innovative non-invasive treatment that removes the need for eyeglasses or daytime contact lenses. The treatment improves vision by lightly reforming your eyes while you are sleeping. It uses specially designed contact lenses you only need to wear before you sleep. 

When you wake up, you will enjoy sharp, clear, and natural vision throughout your waking hours. It is an effective and safe treatment that can correct various refractive errors such as myopia, presbyopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you do not like the idea of laser eye surgery, this treatment is a great alternative. 

Importance of Myopia Control

Myopia, or shortsightedness, is an extremely prevalent problem that is at epidemic levels. Unfortunately, if you had a diagnosis of myopia as a child, it may mean a higher risk of developing serious conditions such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. 

For myopic kids, the common trend is for their condition to worsen over time. Fortunately, researchers have been investing tons of resources and time to find better ways of managing or halting the progression of myopia. Today, people with this condition have several treatment options. These include orthokeratology, which is proving to be highly effective. 

The Basics of Ortho-K

In its most basic terms, this accelerated overnight treatment works by changing the shape or curvature of the cornea. The aim is to change how light focuses on the retina. The cornea is the dome-shaped, clear, and flexible tissue at the front of your eye. Its purpose is to focus light onto the retina. It also plays a huge part in focusing your eye.

Essentially, the cornea’s curvature bends light towards the retina and separates the eye from the rest of the outside world. Therefore, it is responsible for your eye’s corrective power. It also contributes to conditions such as the blur of astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. 

Managing Nearsightedness With Ortho-K

If you choose this vision correction option, your eye doctor will need to perform a few important tests. The most important among them is determining whether your eyes are healthy. The doctor will examine your retina and the health of the exterior surface of your eyes. They will also map your corneas using a topographer to determine their shape. 

This information, in addition to your vision correction prescription and the size of your corneas, will help your orthokeratologist design the corneal molds or retainer lenses needed to create the effect of ortho-k. 

When you pick up your ortho-k retainer lenses, your eye doctor will instruct you on how to take care, insert, and remove them. After your first night of wear, he or she will evaluate their fit and your newly corrected vision. 

To learn how to manage myopia with Ortho-K, visit Atlanta Eye Group at our offices in Atlanta or Kennesaw, Georgia. You can also call (770) 727-0772 today to schedule an appointment.