What is Ortho-K and does it mean I'm contact lens and spectacle free through the day?

Orthokeratology is the programmed application of retainer contact lenses that gently change the shape of the cornea, in a controlled way, while asleep! On taking the retainers out when waking, the cornea retains its new programmed corrected shape allowing clear vision for the rest of the day, without (this is the clever part) surgery, contact lenses or glasses. Then before going to sleep again at night they are worn once more. This has many advantages, some of which are:

• Non-surgical vision improvement without glasses or contact lenses

• Easy, safe and effective in use

• Comfortable, convenient and reversible

• Suitable for certain careers/sports/activities in which need to be glasses-free or contact lens-free like: athletes, pilots, police etc. or when in dusty environments

• No end of day contact lens discomfort or blur

It may sound a little amazing, it can be explained another way. Something that most people have heard of and can relate to. That is orthodontic treatment for teeth? Most will know or have heard of this especially in regard to teenage children.  In orthokeratology, a retainer lens is worn at night during which it adjusts the shape of the cornea. As in orthodontics, you take out the retainer and your vision remains newly adjusted throughout the day. To maintain good day time vision, the ‘vision retainer’ is simply worn at night.

Eye research charity poll shows Brits put their eyesight at risk through dangerous contact lens habits. Poll results released today (11/07/2019) by charity Fight for Sight highlight that many Brits are frequently putting their eyesight at risk through unsafe contact lens habits, unaware that these could lead to a painful and sight-threatening eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Is your child suitable for Myopia (Progression) Management?

Myopia or short-sightedness causes blurred distance vision. It normally begins in childhood, being more common in children who have a myopic parent, although sometimes there is no family history.

Myopia is increasing worldwide with some calling this a ‘myopia pandemic’. In East Asia some 90% of children are now myopic. Prevalence in the USA and Europe has now reached around 45%. In the UK myopia prevalance has doubled in 50 years and is still rising!

This is a worrying public health issue, as short sight is connected with a number of more serious eye problems in later life such as retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma & myopic macular degeneration. With every increase in myopia, the risk of developing these conditions increases. The earlier it starts to progress in childhood the higher the adult prescription will be and the higher the risk of vision complications.