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Ortho-k Basics and How It Can Improve Your Vision

Orhto works this way method Pupila Family Eye Care

Are you ready to say goodbye to your contact lenses or glasses, but don’t want or don’t qualify for Lasik? Speak to our Houston eye doctor about ortho-k for an effective non-invasive alternative to Lasik that can provide crystal-clear vision overnight.

What is Orthok?                                                                                   

Ortho-k, also known as orthokeratology, involves wearing a specialized type of custom contact lens overnight to slowly reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as myopia. In the morning, you simply take out the specialized contact lens and enjoy crystal-clear vision for the rest of the day.

Benefits of Ortho-k lenses include:

  • Freedom and flexibility: clear vision without needing glasses or contacts
  • Slows the progression of myopia
  • Improves vision-related quality of life compared to soft contact lenses and glasses
  • Convenient for children as they don’t have to worry about losing glasses or contact lenses

What Patients Can Expect From Ortho-k

Typically, patients can expect clear vision within a day or two of beginning to wear the lenses at night.

Ortho-k is similar to a retainer, reshaping the cornea over time. However, because this reshaping isn’t permanent,  patients can stop wearing the lenses at any time, to allow the eyes to return to their original shape. This usually happens within a few days, and the patient’s vision will also return to how it was prior to beginning with ortho-k.

Ortho-k Is Safe

Multiple studies have been conducted on the safety of ortho-k lenses in comparison to other types of contact lenses. These studies have consistently concluded that ortho-k lenses are just as safe as other types of contact lenses, with incidences of infection or other complications around the same rate for ortho-k lenses as with any other type of contact lens.

Want to learn more about how ortho-k contact lenses can help you see your best every day? Come visit our Houston eye doctors or give us a call at (281) 741-7295, today!

Q&A

Does ortho-k hurt?

No, ortho-k lenses and the process of reshaping your cornea are not painful. The lenses sit on the tear film rather than pressing directly on the eye, meaning they never make direct contact with the eye. People are often able to feel the lens in their eye, but don’t usually report any discomfort.

Why is it important that ortho-k slows myopia progression?

Multiple studies have shown that children with myopia, or nearsightedness, are at much higher risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life. The worse the myopia, the higher the risk. Fortunately, ortho-k can slow down myopia progression, so that it doesn’t get as bad, minimizing the patient’s risk of developing eye diseases later in life.