Also called ortho-k, orthokeratology is a kind of method that corrects vision by wearing designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses to reshape and flatten the cornea while sleeping at night. So that people need not to worry about extra emergencies happened with contact lenses or eyeglasses during sports. Wearers who have nearsightedness or astigmatism will receive clear vision without contact lenses or eyeglasses after they wear ortho-k lenses at the night.
Orthokeratology is not as popular originally as contact lenses and LASIK eye surgery because of its unpredictable outcomes. However, modern orthokeratology is more advanced and has good results in correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism. In addition, researchers are testing the effectiveness of ortho-k for farsightedness.
For some wearers, it will take several weeks to reach and maintain stable 20/20 vision. For most people, one or two pairs of ortho-k contacts will be enough. The difference among persons depends on the degree of nearsighted or astigmatism. After the vision has reached the desired level of clarity, the wearing ortho-k lenses one or two nights a week is necessary to keep good vision.
Though contact lenses have some advantages such as convenience, they also have several drawbacks. Firstly, if people don’t blink or apply certain eye drops frequently enough to keep contact lenses moistened, they will dry out and even move off center or dislodge from eyes. Secondly, some people don’t like to wear contact lenses or deal with daily lens care. Thirdly, many contact lenses can’t correct astigmatism as effective as eyeglasses and even cause potential eye allergies. Compared to contact lenses, ortho-k contacts do not have these contact lens-related vision problems and bring lower risk of eye infections than conventional contact lenses.
Compared with LSAIK and other vision correction procedures, ortho-k is more secure and entirely reversible. Wearers don’t need to worry about the risks of ortho-k. Ortho-k is even suitable for children as young as 7 or 8 years old. When they reach 18, they can choose a surgery or continue to wear ortho-k lenses. In addition, ortho-k lenses can help wearers reduce the progression of nearsightedness.
For certain athletes, ortho-k lenses have some advantages which are not available from other lenses. More clear vision, lower risk of causing eye problems and no worry about lenses moving all make ortho-k lenses to be suitable for athletes.
Of course, ortho-k is not right for everyone. The evaluation of prescription and corneas is a crucial factor of ortho-k procedure. Currently, ortho-k can correct mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness and mild astigmatism. Customers should ask the eye care practitioner about eyes conditions before applying ortho-k lenses.
Ortho-k procedure needs special equipment, special expertise, special designed gas permeable contact lenses and a longer period, all of which explain the reason why ortho-k contacts are more expensive than other soft contact lenses. However, compared with vision correction surgery, ortho-k is much cheaper. Most of the ortho-k services cost less than $3,000 for both eyes.
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