Orthokeratology is a way to compensate for myopia. The cornea should be shaped properly for clear vision. However, corneas can be improperly shaped for a number of reasons, and this causes refractive errors inside the eyes. When light comes into the eye, it doesn't get focused in the right place. This is what causes problems such as myopia, or nearsightedness. Orthokeratology is often used for kids as a way to control the progression of myopia. When you are in the Fountain Valley, CA, area, you can call our optometrist to make your appointment. Our eye doctor can talk to you about ortho-k and whether it's right for you or your child. We at Fountain Valley Optometry are here to help.
Myopia Control
Orthokeratology is the use of ortho-k contact lenses. These are a special type of lens that is worn only at night instead of during the day. When kids have myopia, it's common for their myopia to get worse. This progression of the condition happens through childhood and usually stops when the patient becomes an adult.
Ortho-k contact lenses can slow or even stop this progression for kids. To get the effect, kids have to wear the contacts every night. They are put in at bedtime. Then, when the child wakes up, the contacts are removed. While the child sleeps, the contacts gently put pressure on their eyes so that the shape of the eyeball is corrected a little bit. This can keep the eye from getting even more abnormal in shape and can give the child clear vision throughout the next day.
Vision Correction
Some patients choose to wear these to correct their vision at night so that they do not have to wear contacts or glasses the next day. The small amount of pressure that is administered to the eyes corrects vision the whole next day after wearing them. This makes it unnecessary to wear glasses or other contacts, which is perfect for those who don't want to wear corrective lenses during the day, such as those who play sports. However, the effect of the ortho-k contacts is only temporary. If the patient stops wearing the at night, the effect goes away.
Get Ortho-K from Our Eye Doctor on Our Optometry Team
If you are interested in trying orthokeratology for yourself or your child, discuss the option with our optometrist. For your eye doctor appointment in Fountain Valley, CA, give us a call today to schedule your time. Call us at (714) 210-2393 for our team at Fountain Valley Optometry.