Ortho-K

It is believed the ancient Chinese placed tea bags filled with sand on the closed eyelids during sleep to improve vision in people with short sight thousands of years ago.

The introduction of orthokeratology or ortho-K into contemporary clinical practice is generally attributed to optometrists in California in the 1960’s who noted that wearers of hard contact lenses with certain fitting characteristics experienced improved eyesight immediately after removing the lenses.

The fitting process today remains a matter of determining the correct treatment curve and ensuring that the lens positions correctly over the apex of the eye during sleep.

A number of technical advances over the past decade have brought ortho-K into the realm of modern clinical practice. These include:

1) computer assisted measurement of the curvature of the eye surface, known as corneal topography or mapping

2) computer assisted lens design and manufacture for precise production of complex shapes and

3) so-called ‘reverse geometry’ design greatly enhancing centration and stability of the treatment lenses on the eye

4) oxygen permeable plastic materials that enable safe overnight wear.

Today, ortho-K is an ideal treatment for people with low to moderate short sight wanting to see clearly unaided.  Our ortho-K list includes people with a broad spectrum of vocational and life interests, including celebrity sportspersons, as seen on National Television ..... click here for the full story.

Corneal reshaping treatment lenses rest on the surface of the eye supported by a thin film of tear fluid. The lenses generate positive (pushing) and negative (pulling) forces in the tear film that are responsible for creating the new corneal shape.

Small changes in the corneal shape are measurable within fifteen minutes of treatment lens wear.  The process builds with each night of treatment and usually requires 1-2 weeks to fully restore your eyesight.

Only the thin outer layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium or ‘skin layer’ is affected by ortho-K treatment.  The epithelium is a unique tissue – it is constantly renewed every 10-14 days throughout life and the cells layers are in constant migration or movement.  The incredible versatility of this tissue helps to explain the overall safety of ortho-K. In over 40 years no long-term adverse or unwanted consequences of treatment have been reported in the medical literature.

On the other hand, there are a reports of eye infection (microbial keratitis) associated with ortho-K in the medical literature. Most of these are related to substandard levels of patient care and use of inappropriate cleaning and lens care solutions. 

The ongoing health and safety of your and/or your child's eyes is our greatest concern, and we take great care to ensure the highest level of clinical care. Our safety message begins before treatment commences by asking you to sign an informed consent form outlining your responsibilites for lens care and hygiene under the program.

Before offering you an ortho-K treatment program, we must determine your suitability for treatment. This involves a thorough eye examination to confirm the target refraction, the health of your eyes and the pre-treatment corneal curvatures.  Then follows a fitting appointment where treatment lenses are carefully evaluated on your eyes.  Once the process is complete, you will receive your own prescription pair of highly customized ortho-K lenses for your first overnight wear and for ongoing use as directed.

In our view, ortho-K is the preferred treatment today for children with low to moderate progressive short-sight.  Our youngest patient was 7 years old when commencing corneal reshaping treatment.  She is now 14, and in 7 years she has required a single prescription adjustment to one eye. 

Our young patients are encouraged to be fully independent with all lens care procedures including placement and removal of lenses onto and from the eye. 

It is impressive to see how quickly our youngsters acquire excellent lens care technique.

Progressive myopia (short-sight) is a source of frustration for parents who are concerned for their child's future. When a young child’s eyesight is deteriorating rapidly and each visit to the optometrist inevitably results in a prescription for stronger glasses, the frustration and concern is considerable. Many parents rightly ask the question: can nothing more be done for my child's eyes?

Recent research brings good news: Dr. Russell Lowe and Dr. Laura Downie of eyetech optometrists have completed a retrospective clinical study based on the past 10 years of experience in treating children with ortho-K here at eyetech.

Known as the 'CRIMP' study (Corneal Reshaping Inhibits Myopia Progression), this work reveals strong evidence that ortho-K acts to slow myopia progression and stabilize eyesight.

We are confident that our Clear Vision Corneal Reshaping Program will inhibit myopia progression for the majority of our young patients, depending on suitability for treatment.

We watch with interest as other new technologies with a promise of myopia control emerge, including a novel spectacle lens design, a low dose anti-muscarinic eye drop with minimal side-effects and a new soft bifocal disposable lens that is performing well in clinical trials and is expected to be released before long.