What Is It?
Orthokeratology is a method of corneal reshaping with contact lenses, worn at night (which is why it's called the Night Lens). It flattens the cornea, making it spherical, correcting myopia and astigmatism, so that during the day there is no longer a need to wear optical correction (glasses or contact lenses).
Who Can Wear Them?
They are indicated for children over 7 years old who want to slow myopia progression and not wear lenses or glasses during the day.
The lenses completely correct myopia up to 4 diopters, with or without astigmatism.
Patients with myopia greater than 4 diopters will benefit from the effect of slowing myopia progression and partial vision correction.
How Are They Worn?
Worn during the night (to be worn for at least 6 hours), the orthokeratology lens reversibly corrects myopia, providing clear vision throughout the day, without the help of glasses or soft contact lenses. The effect is reversible upon discontinuing lens wear.
The lenses are made of hyper-permeable copolymer, a rigid material that allows increased resistance to breaking and scratching and optimal lens wetting, being FDA approved for continuous wear up to 30 days. There are special solutions for daily lens maintenance in the stages of cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and application.
Evaluation visits, during which the patient must present to the ophthalmologist are: after the first night (morning), after one week (morning), after 3 weeks (evening), after 2 months, after 6 months, at one year (when lens replacement is also necessary).
What Advantages Do They Offer?
- clear vision during the day, without lenses;
- worn only at night, during sleep;
- they are safe and comfortable;
- they are an alternative to refractive surgery;
- after discontinuing lens use, it is possible to return to glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery;
- no problems in dusty environments, they can be used in patients with allergies;
- the patient gets rid of the sensation of dry eyes at the end of the day, of tired eyes sensation when using the computer for long periods, compared to wearing daily lenses;
- maximum oxygenation of the cornea at night, due to the ultra-permeability of the material from which they are made.
Important:
- most rigid lens wearers achieve good visual acuity after three nights of wear; optimal results are obtained after one week;
- visual acuity may vary from day to day and may vary from one eye to the other;
- it is important that the lenses are worn every night (at least 6 hours).
The need for a night lens can only be determined during an ophthalmologic consultation. At Clario we offer orthokeratology consultations, prescribe night lenses and monitor progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a method of corneal reshaping with contact lenses worn at night. It flattens the cornea, correcting myopia and astigmatism.
They are indicated for children over 7 years old who want to slow myopia progression. They completely correct myopia up to 4 diopters, with or without astigmatism.
