Myopia Management

Ortho-K

Ortho-K or Orthokeratology What is Ortho-K?

Ortho-K lens is a hard gas-permeable contact lens specially designed to be worn overnight and removed in the next morning. It works by flattening the center of the cornea, changing how light is bent as it focuses on the retina.

When the patient wakes up and takes out the lenses, he or she should be able to see clearly throughout a certain period of time during the day without wearing glasses or other contact lenses. These overnight lenses are gas permeable, and hard enough to reshape the cornea, and also allow oxygen to pass through so your eye stays healthy.

Treatment Effects

Ortho-K contact lenses are prescribed for two purposes:

To correct refractive errors (primarily myopia and astigmatism). By wearing Ortho-K for 6-8 hours overnight, the patient is able to see clearly throughout a certain period of time during the day without wearing glasses or other contact lenses.
To slow myopia progression in children: This lens acts to inhibit growth of myopia and it can be applied to children with rapid myopia progression.

Features of Ortho-K Lenses

It is worn overnight

- Unlike normal contact lenses, Ortho K is worn while you are asleep and removed when you wake up.

Restorability

- The corneal reshaping is temporary, so you will need regular Ortho-K lenses. In case you stop wearing them, your corneal shape and eye’s refractive index will be restored.

It's most effective for mild to moderate myopia

- Depending on the lens manufacturer, the treatment threshold of Ortho K can be up to -10 diopters of myopia and -3 diopters of astigmatism. However, it is most effective for eyes of low to moderate myopia (from -1 diopter to -4 diopters) and mild astigmatism (no more than -1 diopter).

It takes time to get maximum effect

- Ortho K lenses take some time to reshape the cornea, so depending on your initial refractive index, your maximum vision will be reached after 1 to 4 weeks on average. For eyes with low myopia, the maximum vision can be reached after a few days. Until your eyes are fully adjusted, they may get blurred vision, glared, and halos around the lights. In some cases, you may need to wear glasses with a lower refractive index in daytime during the orthopedic procedure to support your vision.

Good Candidates for Ortho-K

Those with myopia, astigmatism within the treatment threshold of Ortho K lenses (under 10 diopters for myopia and under 3 diopters for astigmatism).
Children under 18 years old with refractive errors who are not old enough to perform surgery.
Children with rapid myopia progression.
Those with difficulty or discomfort in wearing normal-framed glasses or contact lenses

Ortho-K May Not Be Suitable For

Those having eye inflammation
Those having persistent dry eye or tear gland disorder
Those who are allergic to contact lens in general
Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
Those having autoimmune diseases or diabetes
Those having abnormality in corneal structure, conjunctiva, or eyelids
Those having regular red eyes, often feeling stuck inside the eyes
Those who cannot follow routine examination schedule
Those whose jobs require long-term stable vision
Those who have irregular astigmatism or unstable corneal refraction
Those having low sensitivity on the corneal surface
Those having history of myopia surgery or other eye ones

Some Possible Symptoms after Wearing Ortho K

Ortho K flattens the central corneal area, but does not change the shape of its periphery and hemisphere which causing differences in refractive power in these three corneal parts. This can cause blurred vision or glare and halo. This condition can cause certain discomfort.

Like other types of contact lenses, hard nighttime contact lenses can also cause some eye symptoms such as:

To avoid those symptoms, you should strictly follow the principles of cleaning, using and preserving lenses as well as re-examine them periodically. In case of getting any of those symptoms, you should inform your doctor for guidance and prescription.

Examination - Ortho-K Consultation - Use Instruction Procedure

The examination and Ortho K consultation package at the Japan International Eye Hospital consists of the following steps:

Step 1: General consultation to define your eye’s suitability with Ortho K

Step 2: Finalizing lens parameter, fit and order the lens

Step 3: Receiving the lens and instructions for use

Step 4: Periodic follow-up examination

The periodic follow-up examination helps determine your eye’s suitability and treatment efficiency.

Ortho K Putting, Removing Procedure

Application Instructions

Start putting the hard contact lenses about 15 minutes before going to bed.
Before putting them, wash your hands with soap and dry them.
Apply artificial tears to your eyes.
Wash your lenses with normal saline
Check if your lenses and irises have any dust.
Put your lenses on tip of your pointer finger (dominant hand), apply 1 drop of artificial tears to your contact lenses.
Look straight to your mirror, keep your lower eyelid down by your right middle finger, keep your upper eyelid by your 3 left middle fingers, and gently place the lens over your iris.
Lightly release your eyelids, blink and close your eyes for a few seconds, look in the mirror to check that your lenses are at the iris center.
After putting the lenses, pour out the lens soaking water and leave its tray dry naturally.

Removal Instructions

Apply artificial tears to your eyes. Wash your hands with soap.
Look straight to your mirror, keep your upper eyelid and lower one using your right middle finger and the left one respectively, and squeeze the lens remover in the center or lower 2/3 of the iris, and gently pick up the lens.
Gently remove the lens from the remover, and wash it with normal saline. Then, put it in the lens soak tray, cover them with lens soaking water, close they tray cover, and then repeat the procedure for the other eye.