Ortho-K corrects vision and controls myopia
Orthokeratology (or ortho-k) has long been a treatment for myopia as well as a way to correct vision without needing to wear contact lenses or glasses during the day.
Studies show that Orthokeratology is effective for myopia control
A 2018 study from the Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology concluded that orthokeratology was effective at myopia control – it significantly slowed the the progression of myopia (vision getting worse) and significantly slowed the change in the axial length of the eye that is caused by myopia. Myopia causes the eye to become elongated and, unless treated, the elongation is likely to get worse over time. This results in an increasing lens prescription and puts the patient at risk for diseases like glaucoma or retinal detachment, which can cause blindness.
Myopia got worse in kids that didn’t use Ortho-K
The study’s authors looked at 45 children aged 7-13 who had a diagnosis of myopia who were treated with orthokeratology over a 12 month period in one eye but received no treatment in the other eye. The myopia in the untreated eye got significantly worse over the 12 month period and the axial length also increased significantly in the untreated eye.
Orthokeratology uses a custom overnight lens unique to your eye
Orthokeratology is a vision correction device and myopia treatment that involves a doctor measuring the contours of the surface cornea of the eye using a machine called a corneal topographer. The resulting image and data is used to design a custom rigid contact lens unique to your eye. The lens is worn at night for clear vision during the day. The ortho-k lens does not need to be worn during the day.
Source: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2018 May;62(3):327-334