What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology is a treatment where our optometrists use therapeutic contact lenses to correct common vision problems. This approach can help address vision concerns such as:
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia
LASIK surgery also corrects these vision challenges, but many men and women are unsure about having eye surgery or want to postpone their procedure until they address other health concerns. Orthokeratology offers a great alternative that doesn’t require any incisions or healing.
How Does Orthokeratology Work?
Many types of vision issues originate from cornea abnormalities. Your cornea is a clear structure that sits over your iris, which is the colored portion of your eye. It has a domed shape and bends light to direct it toward the rear portion of your eye, where the images are collected and transmitted to your brain.
If your cornea is not shaped properly you’ll have difficulty seeing items at certain distances. The traditional means of correcting corneal abnormalities is through corrective eyewear like glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK surgery corrects cornea shape through a surgical procedure, using a laser to carefully remove a portion of your cornea. Orthokeratology takes a different approach, using special contact lenses to reshape your cornea while you sleep.
Those corrections are only temporary because your cornea is not being surgically altered. To maintain vision improvements you’ll need to wear your therapeutic contact lenses as prescribed by your optometrist.
How Long Does It Take To See Results with Orthokeratology?
Just as no two people share the exact same set of vision needs, your treatment path will also be unique. Some men and women report vision improvements after just a few days of wearing their therapeutic lenses. For others, significant vision changes take as long as four weeks.
You’ll return to our office during the initial phase of treatment for a professional evaluation of your vision changes. Your lenses may need to be adjusted to provide the best possible results. Your specialist advises you on how frequently you should wear your lenses, which will depend on the flexibility of your corneal tissue.
If you’d like to learn more about what orthokeratology can do for you, schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience. Call us today or use the online booking option.
Northern Valley Eye Care
- Monday
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed - Closed