What Should You Expect from Ortho-K Lenses?
June 13, 2023
Ortho-k lenses are custom-fitted lenses worn overnight for the correction of progressive myopia (nearsightedness). As you begin your vision treatment, you might have a few questions about what to expect. Here is what you should know about your ortho-k treatment at Anh Nguyen Ophthalmology.
What to Expect When You First Begin Treatment?
Office Appointment
The first step in any treatment at our office is to schedule a consultation with our team. One of our expert ophthalmologists will assess your eyes and check your prescription to determine whether you are a good candidate for ortho-k lenses. At this initial appointment, a computer imaging tool called a topographer will be used to create a high-definition map of your cornea. This map includes precise measurements of the curvature, diameter, and height of the cornea; these measurements will be used to shape your ortho-k lenses.
First Time Wearing Them
Ortho-k lenses are rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses. Although they are applied just like soft contact lenses, it may take some time to get comfortable wearing them because of their hard, rigid structure. Before applying your ortho-k lenses, use a few lubricating drops in each eye to make it more comfortable. These lenses should be applied each night immediately before you go to sleep.
The First Morning
Before removing your ortho-k lenses, apply a few lubricating eyedrops and let them sit in your eyes for about 10 minutes. Soft contacts can easily be plucked from the eye with two clean fingers, but gas-permeable lenses are less pliable and require a specialized tool. This tool looks like a miniature suction cup, and it is easy to use once you have practiced a few times. After 7-14 days, the cornea will start to change shape, correcting your vision, and a new lens can be made to fit the new shape of your eye.
How Will Your Vision Change with Ortho-K Lenses?
The hard ortho-k lenses physically push against the cornea to improve elongation or distortion that is responsible for refractive errors like myopia. Patients might notice slight improvements after the first night of wearing their lenses, but these improvements will fade gradually throughout the day. Make sure to bring your glasses or disposable soft contact lenses with you until your clear vision lasts all day.
If you continue to use your ortho-k lenses every night, your vision will gradually improve. Vision changes will be carefully monitored at our office, and your prescription will be adjusted to accommodate your improved vision. It’s important to continue wearing your ortho-k lenses at night to maintain the new shape of your cornea and your clearer vision.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have progressive myopia and gradually worsening vision, you can stop that progression with orthokeratology (corneal reshaping). Schedule a consultation today to determine whether you are a candidate for ortho-k lenses, and we will help you find the best treatment for your unique needs.
