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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 treated 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: swimming, water sports, athletes, pilots, police etc. or when in dusty environments
• Feel free to shower, swim, use sauna as normal
• No end of day contact lens discomfort or blur
• No contact lens dehydration or spectacle fogging due to face mask wear
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 treatment lens is worn at night during which it adjusts the shape of the cornea. Removing the over-night refractive treatment leaves your vision newly adjusted throughout the day. To maintain good day time vision, the treatment is simply used at night. To discuss if this may be suitable for you, please see the email details at the bottom of this article.
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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.