Am I a Good Candidate for Ortho K?
So maybe you’ve heard of Ortho K, something that will definitely relieve you of having to wear glasses regularly. If you have, have you been searching for “Ortho K new zealand” on Google? Maybe you’ve been thinking of ding Ortho K for you or your children, but you want to find out more. Read on to find out what exactly Ortho K is, and what would make you a good candidate for it.
What is Ortho K?
Ortho K is the shortened version of orthokeratology. It’s a technique that uses rigid, gas-permeable lenses to reshape corneas. Think of it as you getting special-featured contact lenses. The lenses are meant to be worn every night, allowing the user to wake up with an improved vision. The cornea will hold the shape throughout the day, so you will not be reliant on your glasses to see normally.
Ortho K is generally meant to use to treat myopia, especially for kids. It slows the progression of myopia. However, the latest developments have allowed Ortho K to also be used for treating various eye conditions. These include astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia.
How does Ortho K work?
We’re sure you’ve heard of the warning to not wear contact lenses when going to sleep. But in the case of Ortho K lenses, that’s actually when you’re supposed to wear them. Overnight, the Ortho K lenses reshape the cornea, which is where light focuses to create a clear image. When you wake up the next day, you won’t have to rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. The effects last for over a day. The lenses are best worn in the day because you want your corneas to be as still as possible when being reshaped. The reshaping process leads to less reliance on glasses or corrective contact lenses.
To get these lenses, you have to go to your optometrist and get your eyes fitted. Fittings may take more than one visit to ensure they are correct for you and your lifestyle. These lenses cost a bit, but if you take care of them, they can last for two years before they need replacement.
Is Ortho K safe for use, especially for children?
Ortho K is safe as long as you and your child take care of your lenses and of your eyes. If you experience red, watery, or agitated eyes, when you wake up, this is perfectly normal. These Ortho K lenses are just like the normal lenses after all. Using them may cause dryness or discomfort in the eyes. The only difference is that they are correcting your vision. You can discontinue the use anytime without any ill effects.
Wearing ortho-k lenses has been linked to more risk of eye infections. However, the main cause of these infections is generally not enough hygiene by the user. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and properly clean your lenses.
Finally, there have been myths that Otho-K lenses physically squish your eyes. However, the modern, advanced ortho-k process uses hydraulic forces and the eye’s natural fluids. There is no application of pressure to the cornea.
Who would benefit the most from getting Ortho K?
Ortho K is suitable for both children and adults with eye conditions. If you or your loved one falls under any of the following, you can get the Ortho K treatment.
- You or your child suffer from myopia, also known as nearsightedness. You can only see things when they’re up close.
- You or your child have hyperopia. Hyperopia affects your vision by making only far away things be clear to you. Reading up close will be a pain if you have this condition.
- You or your child are affected by astigmatism. Astigmatism is an imperfect curve in your eye that causes blurry or distorted vision. You may also have a difficult time seeing at night.
- You suffer from the gradual loss of your vision as you age. This condition is called presbyopia.
- You want your child to be glasses-free, but he or she is too young for a LASIK procedure. He or she may also not be a good candidate for refractive surgery.
- You are a physically active individual, especially when it comes to working. For example, you are a rugby player who can’t wear glasses or contact lenses in the field. Imagine getting hit by a tackle and seeing your lenses flying in the air!
- You work in an industry that has plenty of dust and requires you to wear protective goggles. Not having to wear your goggles over your glasses is a great benefit! You’ll also avoid having dust go into corrective contact lenses, which can affect the safety and quality of your work.
- You are not comfortable with getting any surgery done on your eyes. You may be thinking that you’d want to go back to wearing glasses in the future. Because Ortho K corneal reshaping is temporary, little risk is involved.
When should you not get Ortho K?
As menti0oned, almost anyone can benefit from Ortho K. However, there are a few who should not get Ortho K lenses:
- People who severely lack tears. It’s also known as dry eye disease. It’s a common condition where tears aren't able to provide enough lubrication for the eyes. Tears may lack due to plenty of reasons. And lack of tears can lead to inflammation of the eye area and cause damage.
- People who have allergies to contact lenses or solutions. It’s a rare condition, but it definitely happens. People can become allergic to the materials of the contact lenses themselves. If you have a history of being allergic to corrective lenses, don’t push through with getting lenses fitted on you.
- People with eye infections. If you have painful or itchy eyes, it is best to not get Ortho K lenses fitted to you first. It is best to have your eye doctor examine your eyes to ensure your safety before undergoing any procedure.
If you have any of the following conditions, we recommend that you get a different procedure.
Ortho K Lenses + New Zealand? NVISION Eyecare!
If you’ve read through this article and you want to explore Ortho K treatment, look no further than NVISION Eyecare. NVISION Eyecare is your go-to optometrist in Albany, Auckland. In addition to the usual optometric services, we also offer specialized eye care services. This includes myopia control for children, which is what Ortho K treatment is for. We also ensure that when it comes to patient treatment, we have the latest technology on hand. You can be confident that we have only the best methods for treating your eyes.
We are located at Apollo Health and Wellness Centre, at Suite 104. We are open on Monday to Friday, from 9 in the morning up to 4:30 in the afternoon. On Saturday, we open a bit earlier at 8:30 in the morning, but only up to 2:30 PM. We are closed on Sundays and public holidays. To set an appointment, fill out this form. You can also call us at 09-884-0034. We look forward to giving you the best treatment your eyes deserve.
