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Ortho-k
By Jane Therrien OD, FIAOMC, Optometric Physician
rthokeratology (also known as ortho-k) is a treatment that relies on custom designed contact lenses to temporarily reshape the front surface of the eye, or the cornea to improve vision. It’s like orthodontics for eyes and is often compared to dental braces. The patient wears these lenses only while they sleep. After waking, the patient will remove the contact lenses and can see clearly throughout the day without glasses or contact lenses. Vision improvement is reversible but can be maintained if you continue wearing the lenses as directed. Ortho-k is a safe, non-surgical alternative to LASIK surgery and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The shape of the cornea dictates much about the quality of a person’s vision. Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are so-called “refractive errors” and are caused by the shape of the cornea and the length of
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the eyeball. Astigmatism is another condition caused by the shape of the cornea, this time by irregularities in the curvature of the eye. Presbyopia is a natural annoying part of aging, a gradual worsening of near vision that occurs around age 40 and continues until around age 65. Ortho-k can be used to correct all of these conditions. Ortho-k has been also been clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. Myopia is more than an inconvenience. It can pose a serious risk to your child’s long term vision. As a child develops and the myopia rapidly progresses, the child is at a higher risk of developing dangerous eye diseases later in life. These include retinal detachments, macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. The higher the myopia, the higher the risk of these sight threatening complications. Thankfully, myopia management can help. Myopia management solutions include ortho-k, multifocal contact lenses and atropine eye drops. New
research states that giving children low dose atropine eye drops at bedtime can slow the progression of myopia. Children who receive atropine drops will still need glasses. Soft Multifocal contact lenses have also been shown to decrease the progression of nearsightedness. MiSight 1 day is the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lens to slow the progression of myopia in children. If you have any questions about our ortho-k, our myopia treatment options or would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact us at 954-888-9393.
⊲ For a consultation or more information, you
can reach Dr. Therrien at Weston Family Eyecare, 4472 Weston Road, or call 954-8889393. Dr. Therrien and her staff look forward to exceeding your expectations. www.westonfamilyeyecare.com
