Ortho-K – Eyecare 247

What is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)?

Ortho-K is a non-surgical procedure using specially designed contact lenses to reshape the front part of your eye (cornea) gently while you sleep. By wearing these lenses overnight, you will be able to see clearly without your glasses or contact lenses during the day!

Ortho-K is safe for children when appropriately fitted and managed by an experienced optometrist. Many individuals can eliminate their dependence upon their glasses and standard contact lenses with no adverse effects. Unlike surgical procedures, the cornea tissue is not incised or vaporized by a laser. The state-of-the-art, high Gas Permeable materials provide adequate amounts of oxygen to the tissues of the eye.

How Does it Work?

Ortho-K contact lenses are designed to gently reshape the central surface of the cornea systematically, similar to the effect of lasers in correcting Myopia. However, unlike laser surgery, the effect of ortho-k treatment is temporary and reversible. Re-fitting of new lenses is required if an individual’s eye degree changes.

It generally requires four to seven consecutive nights of wearing the Ortho-K lenses to achieve the desired result but for those with higher degree myopia, a longer period is needed. The duration will be determined on an individual basis by the eye care practitioner.

Slows down Myopia progression in children with up to a 77% efficiency rate.

Painless non-surgical treatment and is completely reversible when an individual’s degree changes

Free from wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day, which ultimately prevents dry eyes from wearing contact lens

Is everyone, including children, a good candidate for Ortho-K?

Ortho-K can help most individuals (including those with certain types and amounts of astigmatism and high myopia) improve their vision.

The success rate of Ortho-K may be affected for people with very high prescription, large pupil size, cornea rigidity, irregular cornea and cornea disorder such as keratoconus. A thorough consultation and examination using advanced diagnostic instrumentation can easily determine if Ortho-K is right for an individual.

This treatment is non-surgical, thus is suitable for children too. Based on scientific research, the success rate is highest when children start as early as possible. Surprisingly, children can handle these special contact lenses much better than what adults thought they could. Most of them can independently manage everything by themselves within the first month!

What to expect on your first visit with us?

1. Risk Assessment

Detail assessment of your child’s myopia risk profile, environmental factors, and eye status to determine suitable treatment options.

2. Clinical Test

Series of clinical procedures conducted to determine how well your child sees and the eye coordination status.

3. Discussion and Customisation

Results will be shared with the recommended clinical management plans. We will customise the treatment plan based on suitability for your reference before we proceed.

Why are we concerned?

Myopia in Singapore is among the highest in the world 80% of children in Singapore are myopic by the age of 18. Myopia, also known as ‘short-sightedness’, is the inability to see things clearly unless they are close to your eyes.

It is the most common eye condition among Singaporeans caused by genetic and environmental factors. The risk of myopia includes retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy, which will lead to blindness. The risk of Myopic Maculopathy increases by 40 times when the myopia is above -6.00.

Is Ortho-K permanent?

It is not permanent. After the maximum result is achieved, Ortho-K lenses are worn to stabilise and maintain the cornea shape. Failure to wear the Ortho-K lenses on an ongoing basis will result in a return to the pre-existing prescription. The wearing schedule will be determined by your optometrist.

What are the risk of wearing Ortho-K lenses overnight?

Contact lenses cannot become lost behind the eye and it is rare for Ortho-K lenses to become decentered from the cornea. The complications of wearing contact lenses include cornea in-growth of blood vessels, ulcers, and abrasions. However, risks can be eliminated or reduced significantly with proper care and regular follow-up with our optometrists. Having the parents/guardian monitoring their child/ward using Ortho-K is extremely important.

Are Ortho-K lenses comfortable to wear?

The overnight wearing of the Ortho-K lenses is surprisingly comfortable. Most patients are unaware of their presence within a very short time after insertion because the lenses are made in large diameters and worn during sleep. The normal adaptation process is very short.

Will I still have to wear glasses or contact lenses?

Once the desired correction is obtained, regular glasses/contact lenses are usually not needed. Glasses may be needed for part-time usage, depending on the cornea condition. During the initial treatment period, if the corrected vision does not last a full day, the patient might need temporary glasses/contact lenses to maintain normal distance vision.

How often do I have to come for my follow-up visit?

The first follow-up visit will be on the next day after the Ortho-K lenses have been prescribed. This is followed by one week, two weeks, one month and three-month regular follow-up visits. It is extremely important to attend your follow-up visits as our optometrist will assess the condition of your corneas and rule out contact lenses related complications. This is also a chance for us to monitor the patient myopia progression if any, and make changes as early as possible.

If a patient becomes less myopic or presbyopic in the later years, how will that be handled?

Unlike laser surgery that cannot be reversed, corneas can usually be remodelled to accommodate the change in prescription by changing the design of the maintenance lenses to correct for near vision using a technique called monovision.

If a patient decides to return to wearing glasses, can vision be restored to its pre-treatment levels?

The wearer’s eyes will return to their pre-treatment myopia after about two weeks, depending on how long Ortho-K lenses have been worn, this process may be as long as 30 – 90 days. In order to provide good vision during this transitional period, patients are refitted with gas permeable lenses or disposable soft contact lenses while the corneas recover their pre-treatment shape.

How long does it take to be able to see well without glasses?

Rapid visual improvement normally occurs in the first few days. Stabilisation then follows over the next few weeks and months. Once the wearer’s eyes are stabilised, improved eyesight is maintained by wearing Ortho-K lenses as recommended to maintain vision at the desired level.

How much does Ortho-K cost?

Ortho-K fitting requires a trained optometrist and it is a programme that might need a few consultations. The actual cost will depend on the complexity of the case, depending on the length of treatment and number of Ortho-K lenses needed. The optometrist will be able to provide a better estimate for each patient after a thorough pre-fitting assessment.