Orthokeratology  

At our eye care center, we offer orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k, for patients who wish to go without contact lenses or eyeglasses during the day, or who desire a non-surgical alternative to LASIK.  

 

What is Orthokeratology?  

Orthokeratology is the process of fitting specially designed, FDA-approved, gas-permeable contact lenses to the eyes to help reshape the cornea. With orthokeratology, a patient wears special contact lenses at night while they sleep. In the morning, they remove the lenses and enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. While the patient sleeps, the surface of their eyes is gently and gradually reshaped by the special contact lenses. At Lawrenceville Family Eyecare, we are trained in fitting our patients with Paragon CRT® lenses, or corneal refractive therapy lenses. These special lenses gently reshape the curvature of the cornea overnight. 

 

This reshaping of the cornea can help to improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In some cases, orthokeratology can eliminate a patient’s need for eyeglasses or daytime use of contact lenses.   

 

Who is a Good Candidate for Orthokeratology?   

Orthokeratology is an ideal procedure for patients who no longer wish to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day and do not want to undergo laser vision correction surgery. To ensure a safe procedure performed with high-quality lenses, it is important to seek orthokeratology from a reputable practitioner. At Lawrenceville Family Eyecare, we carefully evaluate and fit patients for orthokeratology, considering their eye health concerns.  

 

Ideal candidates for orthokeratology include:  

  • Adults  
  • Children  
  • Patients with myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness   

 

While orthokeratology is best suited for patients of all ages with myopia, children aged 8-12 with progressive myopia (nearsightedness which gets worse every year) may especially benefit from orthokeratology.   

 

What Are the Benefits of Orthokeratology?  

  • Orthokeratology will correct vision for near and far tasks, such as watching TV or reading a book, without the need for daytime use of eyeglasses or contact lenses.   
  • When used with children, orthokeratology may help slow down the child’s progression of myopia, which can lead to a reduced risk of eye disease later in life.   
  • Orthokeratology is also an ideal treatment for athletes, who appreciate freedom from the daytime use of eyeglasses or contact lenses while they train and play their sport.  

 

Learn More About Orthokeratology  

To learn more about orthokeratology, book an appointment at our Lawrenceville eye care center for a comprehensive eye exam. Ask about orthokeratology and our staff can help you determine if it may be a good choice for you.