Orthokeratology (ORTHO-K):

Reshaping the cornea with contact lenses to improve vision

When you sleep, you wear special contact lenses that gently reshape the surface of your eye, so you can see clearly even after you remove the lenses. The effect is temporary –generally enough to get you through a day or so-, but you must wear the special lenses every night.

How does it work?

Myopia (nearsightedness) is caused by light coming into the eye in such a way that it doesn’t focus properly on the retina. Typically, this problem is corrected by using eyewesar or regular contact lenses to re-focus light.

A similar result can be achieved by reshaping your cornea. Lasik is a surgical way to do this. Ortho-k contact lenses flatten your cornea without surgery, enabling light to focus properly on your retina, resulting in better vision.

Orthokeratology is for people of any age who are nearsighted.

The FDA has approved the Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) for people with up to six diopters of myopia (-4.00 on your prescription); the VST approval is for up to five diopters.

Astigmatism can also be treated up to - 1.75 with CRT, and - 1.50 with VST.

Many doctors believe the best candidates are people who have low amounts of myopia, about four diopters or less.

The procedures can be performed on practically anyone of any age, as long as their eyes are healthy. Ortho-k holds particular appeal for people who participate in sports, or who work in dusty, dirty environments that can cause problems for regular contact lenses.