Orthokeratology

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At Pathway Eye, we offer orthokeratology, also known as ortho-K, for patients who wish to go without contact lenses or eyeglasses during the day, or who desire a non-surgical alternative to LASIK.

Orthokeratology is the process of fitting specially designed, FDA-approved contact lenses to the eyes to gently assist in reshaping the cornea. When undergoing orthokeratology, a patient will wear the special contact lenses at night while they sleep. Upon waking, they can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. While the patient sleeps, the surface of their eyes is gradually reshaped by the special contact lenses.

This reshaping process can improve both nearsightedness and farsightedness as well as astigmatism. Orthokeratology can eliminate a patient’s need for eyeglasses or daytime use of contact lenses entirely in some cases.

Who is a Good Candidate for Orthokeratology? 

Orthokeratology is an ideal procedure for patients who no longer wish to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day. It is also suitable for those who do not wish to undergo laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK.

It is important to seek orthokeratology from a reputable practitioner, like the doctors at Pathway Eye, to ensure a safe fitting is performed with high quality lenses. Our doctors carefully evaluate and fit patients for orthokeratology lenses, taking into consideration their individual eye health concerns.

Ideal candidates for orthokeratology include adults, children, and patients with myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness. While orthokeratology is best suited for patients of all ages with myopia, children ages 8-12 with progressive myopia (nearsightedness which gets worse every year) may especially benefit from orthokeratology.

What Are the Benefits of Orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology has numerous benefits:

  • Orthokeratology corrects vision for near and far tasks, such as watching TV or reading a book, without the need for daytime use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. 
  • When applied to children, orthokeratology may help slow down the child’s progression of myopia, which can lead to a reduced risk of eye disease later in life.
  • Orthokeratology is an ideal treatment for athletes, who appreciate freedom from the daytime use of eyeglasses or contact lenses while they train and engage in their sport.

Learn More About Orthokeratology

To learn more about orthokeratology, book an appointment with our optometrists at Pathway Eye for a comprehensive eye exam. Ask about orthokeratology and our doctors can help you determine if it is a good choice for you.