What Is Ortho-K (Besides Being Short For Orthokeratology)?

In one camp, we have nonsurgical ways of correcting vision. This includes glasses and contact lenses. In the other camp, we have permanent surgical correction such as with lasik. But there actually exists some middle ground between these two camps. This is where orthokeratology (more commonly known as ortho-k) enters the picture. Ortho-k provides short term independence from glasses or contact lenses without needing any surgery whatsoever!

This short term glasses free vision comes from temporarily changing the shape of your cornea. Unfortunately, ortho-k won’t be able to completely eliminate contact lenses. At an eye exam, specific rigid contact lens are fitted to the eye. These contact lens are worn overnight. Throughout the night these contact lens progressively modify the shape and curvature of the cornea. Upon awakening in the morning, the cornea retains that modified shape. Changing the curvature of the cornea corrects prescription error to allow vision without glasses or contact lenses. Thus, throughout the day, ortho-k patients enjoy vision free from glasses and free from that rigid contact lens!

But the effects of ortho-k don’t last forever. In fact, they only really last a few days or less. Because of this, at bedtime the rigid contact lens is placed back into the eye in order to retain that modified cornea shape. By repeating this cycle of contact lens in, contact lens out, we can achieve a non-surgical “independence” from glasses and contact lenses!

Related Articles