Categories Eye Care, Lenses, Vision

8 Benefits of Ortho-K for Children That Parents Shouldn’t Miss

Ortho-K, a type of rigid contact lens worn at night and removed in the morning, is known for temporarily eliminating refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) throughout the day. Recognized by the FDA for its effectiveness in controlling myopia progression in children, Ortho-K offers more than just vision correction. Here are 8 benefits that parents shouldn’t overlook:

1. Controlling Myopia Progression:

FDA-verified effectiveness in controlling myopia progression in young children, crucial as their eyes are still developing.

2. Eliminating Discomfort of Regular Glasses:

Children are free from the discomfort of wearing glasses for extended periods, preventing nose imprints and discomfort.

3. Comfortable Physical Activity:

Allows children to engage in sports and physical activities comfortably without the hindrance of daytime glasses.

4. Boosting Confidence in Communication:

Provides clear vision, eliminating obstacles in communication and helping children react promptly in various situations.

5. Uninterrupted Learning:

Ensures children can see the board or screen clearly, promoting a seamless learning experience without hindrances.

6. Freedom to Observe Surroundings:

Allows children to freely explore, observe, and learn from their surroundings without the limitations of glasses.

7. Self-Confidence Appearance:

Boosts children’s confidence by offering them freedom from thick glasses, promoting a dynamic lifestyle.

8. Convenient Riding in the Rain:

Provides peace of mind for parents as children can confidently ride in the rain without the hindrance of fogged-up glasses.

Contact Us:

Love the way your child sees with Ortho-K – contact us at +65 6244 4420 or click here for further inquiries.

Categories Eye Care, Lenses

Using speciality spectacles lenses for myopia control treatment

In 2019, this teenager (now 16 years old) was identified as a fast progressing myopia patient. We suggested myopia management to their parents to potentially slow down its likely advancement and they decided to start his myopia control treatment using speciality spectacles lenses.

What made this situation concerning?

The issue here lies in the fact that a higher prescription level is more than just a mere inconvenience of impaired vision without corrective lenses. All cases of myopia, particularly those at higher levels, are associated with a heightened risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, and cataracts. In fact, each increase in myopia by one dioptre escalates the risk of myopic macular degeneration by 67%.

Our goal with myopia management is to decelerate the progression of myopia in children and young adults. This is achieved through lifestyle modifications, utilizing specialized contact lenses, and opting for custom-designed spectacle lenses. While complete cessation of myopia progression is unlikely, these measures can significantly reduce its pace.

Specialised lenses

So when this teenager myopia increased drastically in 2019, we suggested to his parents to start his myopia control treatment using speciality spectacles lenses. Whilst the glasses look exactly as they would with standard lenses, these lenses slow the progression of myopia by up to 60%. The statistics on the glasses lenses were strong, so we were keen to see the results for ourselves with our own patients.

The positive outcomes

The results have been encouraging. After nearly tree years of monitoring, Our young patient’s myopic progression has substantially slowed. Measurements of his eyes’ axial length, a key indicator of myopia progression, have shown stability, indicating the effectiveness of the prescribed eyewear.

If myopia is left unmanaged, it typically worsens, potentially leading to a medium to high prescription level (-4 to -8) by adulthood.

As expected, the family is extremely pleased with the outcome. With this case, the opportunity to lessen the rate of myopia in their children is a significant relief, something they hadn’t thought feasible. Unlike the past, particularly in the 80s and 90s when myopia was often left to progress unchecked, today, we have various options available, including soft lenses, overnight lenses, and specially designed spectacles, offering a chance to alter this trend.

Contact Us:

Love the way your child sees with speciality spectacles lenses. – contact us at +65 6244 4420 or click here to for further inquiries.

Categories Uncategorized

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Comfort

One of the challenges that ortho-k patients, especially younger ones, often face is the initial discomfort associated with the treatment. Ortho-k, which aims to correct myopia and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea’s front surface using rigid lenses, can be likened to the early stages of using Invisalign for teeth straightening. During this period, the difference between the starting point and the final goal is most pronounced, resulting in discomfort.

To enhance lens comfort, improve patient compliance, and optimize the effectiveness of ortho-k lenses, several key factors come into play:

Choosing the Right Lens Material

Selecting a highly gas-permeable lens material is crucial in ortho-k treatment. This choice allows for maximum oxygen flow to the closed eye, preventing corneal hypoxia—a condition that not only reduces the effectiveness of ortho-k but can also pose risks to eye health. Optometrists often caution against sleeping in certain types of contact lenses for this reason. Another important attribute in lens materials is a “low wetting angle.” A lower wetting angle ensures that water spreads evenly across the lens surface, resulting in a more comfortable lens and facilitating the hydraulic forces involved in ortho-k treatment.

Edge Geometry Matters

The edge of the lens is what patients feel most frequently. Every blink reminds them of it, and if the lenses are inserted incorrectly, they may experience discomfort in the conjunctiva or even the cornea. Therefore, it’s essential to have an edge that gently tapers away from the cornea rather than digging into it, reducing the risk of the lens feeling uncomfortable. The shape of the edge is equally important, with rounded edges, like those used in ortho-k lenses, being less likely to cause discomfort or injury.

Perfect Alignment Fitting

Achieving a precise alignment fitting of the mid-peripheral cornea is crucial for ortho-k success. At Eyecare 24/7, optometrists can accurately map the patient’s cornea and design custom ortho-k lenses. These lenses often feature non-spherical toric alignment curves, recognizing that not all corneas and prescriptions are the same, and that each eye may have unique characteristics. While custom-made lenses may take a bit longer to produce, usually up to three weeks, they reduce the need for remakes and follow-up fittings, ultimately increasing patient comfort and satisfaction.

Contact Us

Love the way your child sees with Ortho-K – contact us at +65 6244 4420 or click here to for further inquiries.

Categories Uncategorized

Meet Our Young Patients: Two Sisters Thriving with Ortho-K

 

In the ever-evolving landscape of eye care, Singapore stands at the forefront of innovative solutions to combat the rising prevalence of myopia, particularly among children. At Eyecare 24/7, we also help children to bring better vision. Today, we delve into the captivating narrative of two sisters, each on a transformative journey with Ortho-K treatment. As we explore the experiences of an 11-year-old elder sister and her 8-year-old sibling, the narrative unfolds, highlighting the significance of initiating Ortho-K treatment as early as possible for a heightened success rate in myopia management.

Elder Sister (11 years old): A Journey of Success with Ortho-K

We’re honored to share the story of our 11-year-old patient who has been with us for a year, undergoing Ortho-K treatment. Her dedication to the treatment has resulted in remarkable maintenance of her myopia. It’s stories like hers that inspire us every day. We’re incredibly proud of her progress and the positive impact the treatment has had on her life. She embodies the success that can be achieved with commitment and the right care.

Younger Sister (8 years old): Proactive Steps Toward Better Eye Health

The younger sister, at just 8 years old, has shown immense bravery and foresight. Recognizing the early signs of myopia, she immediately began her Ortho-K treatment with us. Early intervention is crucial in eye health, and she’s a shining example of how taking action at the right time can lead to better outcomes. Her journey is still ongoing, but she’s already showing promising results, a testament to the effectiveness of early treatment.

💡 Why Start Early?

At Eyecare 24/7, we’re strong advocates for early intervention in eye health, especially for conditions like myopia. Our experience with these two sisters has reinforced our belief in this approach. Starting Ortho-K treatment at a younger age can significantly improve its effectiveness, leading to better control of myopia progression.

Each case is unique, and that’s why we provide personalized care and attention to each of our patients. These sisters, with their distinct needs and treatment progress, exemplify the importance of tailoring eye care to the individual.

Contact Us:

Love the way your child sees with Ortho-K – contact us at +65 6244 4420 or click here to for futher inquiries.