What is OrthoK Overnight Vision Correction?
Simply sleep wearing your customised orthoK contact lenses to see clearly without glasses the next day!
Imagine the freedom of working, studying or enjoying recreational activities like swimming, surfing and active sports without the inconvenience or discomfort of contact lenses or glasses.
It may sound unbelievable but in fact Orthokeratology (or orthoK), the non-surgical process of using special customised contact lenses to reshape your eyes as you sleep, is well-established around the world and achieves excellent visual results for many people.
Our principal optometrist Mr Alex Petty is a key advocate for the practice of orthokeratology in New Zealand and at the time of writing is one of only four optometrists in the country that are fellows of the International Academy of Orthokeratology (FIAO): a prestigious group of world-wide orthoK experts. He has looked after hundreds of patients who wear orthoK lenses, many who have done so for a number of years.
Listen to our principal optometrist Mr Alex Petty, discussing how orthoK contact lenses can be used to slow myopia progression in children.
How does OrthoK Vision Correction work?
An orthoK lens on the eye viewed with a special green light. They are surprisingly comfortable and stable during wear!
OrthoK is actually very simple: A sophisticated rigid contact lens is worn only overnight when you sleep. The forces created in the tears by the lens shift the cells on the surface of your eye into a new shape. Your eye's new shape has a different optical power, which allows you to see clearly once the lens is removed.
Each lens is precisely designed for your eyes using advanced computer modelling software Eyespace based on the shape of your eye surface.
Mr Alex Petty showing a typical orthoK lens sitting on his finger ready for use.
Our patient's love their 'new eyes'!
Some of the benefits of OrthoK Overnight Vision Correction include:
OrthoK Vision Correction is perfect for active kiwi kids. Most children tend to be better than adults at staying still during the initial testing and scans!
OrthoK can correct a range of prescriptions including myopia up to -8.00D (short-sightedness), hyperopia up to +4.00D (long-sightedness), astigmatism up to -4.00D (rugby ball shaped cornea) and presbyopia (problems with reading up close as you get beyond the age of 40).
Because you dont need to use any glasses or contact lenses during the day orthoK is perfect for athletes, people that enjoy the water (surfers, swimmers etc), people that get dry eye or allergies, people working in dusty or dry environments, and children who need to see well at school.
OrthoK is completely reversible and non-surgical. It is a great option for anyone who cannot get laser eye correction due to their age, unstable prescription or due to their corneae being unsuitable.
OrthoK lenses are one of the key treatments to prevent the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children.
A graphical representation of the shape change on an eye that is using an orthoK lens to correct their short-sightedness (myopia).
People of all ages can wear orthoK lenses. Our optometrists have treated children as young as 6 and as old as 70 with orthoK Vision Correction!
OrthoK lenses are not for everyone however: a careful assessment of your eye health, your corneal shape, your lifestyle and visual requirements are required before your optometrist at Bay Eye Care will recommend OrthoK lenses.
The solution package you receive when signing up to the Bay Eye Care orthoK Fitting Program.
More Information:
If you have questions about orthoK some of these may be answered in our Orthokeratology Frequently Asked Questions page.
Download our comprehensive information document about orthokeratology fitting at Bay Eye Care which contains information about what the process involves.
For an indication of what it may cost you to have orthoK lenses professionally fitted at our practice visit the Bay Eye Care Fee Structure page.
This video from our lens manufacturer Eyespace is helpful to watch when learning to use your OrthoK lenses from Bay Eye Care.
