Orthokeratology (or Vision Shaping, commonly referred to as ortho-k) is a treatment that involves the use of gas-permeable contact lenses to temporarily reshape the front surface of your eye (cornea) and correct refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness) hyperopia and astigmatism.
Ortho-K overnight lenses correct vision without the need for wearing contact lenses or glasses during the day. Orthokeratology is also a safer, less invasive alternative to refractive eye surgery, making it an increasingly popular choice among our patients. Ortho-k lenses are also entirely safe for children, which makes them a viable choice for helping correct kids' myopia before they reach adulthood.
If you dislike the lenses, find them uncomfortable to wear at night, or the results are not as you expected, simply stop wearing the lenses, and your eyes will return to normal within a matter of days.
Ready to try this revolutionary new corrective treatment? Looking for qualified orthokeratology near you? Call us today and book an appointment with one of our Orthokeratology experts.
Healthy vision (also referred to as 20/20 vision) occurs when light enters the eye through the cornea, contacts the retina and then sends a signal to the brain to tell it what is being seen. If your cornea is shaped irregularly, the light that contacts your retina will be refracted incorrectly. This is called a refractive error, which results in blurred vision.
Vision Shaping (ortho-k) lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses that reshape the cornea while you sleep to correct a refractive error. In the morning, the lenses are removed. Since the lenses have shaped the cornea overnight, this allows light to enter the cornea and refract properly, thus giving the patient clearer vision. Since no treatment is required during the day, ortho-k lenses also offer a higher level of comfort when compared to regular contact lenses.
At National Eye & Ear of Tucson, our expert optometrists are highly qualified in Orthokeratology and have experience in treating patients of all ages. We also stock a wide range of Ortho k lenses to treat many vision problems.
Our continual investments in ground-breaking technology mean we are able to recommend this amazing new form of vision correction treatment with absolute confidence. Our patients can now choose to leave their glasses, contact lenses, and spectacles behind for-all day freedom with clear vision as a result of Orthokeratology treatment.
Choose National Eye & Ear of Tucson for your next Orthokeratology treatment. Our range of ortho-k lenses near you makes us the clear choice for all of your family’s vision correction needs.
When you begin ortho-k treatment, Dr. Reichardt will begin the process by taking measurements of the curvatures of your corneas. This will provide her with a detailed map of your eyes’ surfaces so she can design contact lenses for you and schedule a fitting for a later date once the contacts have been made.
For best results, ortho-k lenses must be custom-fitted based on the measurements taken during the patient’s contact lens fitting assessment. Patients may need to try a series of temporary lenses before using their desired prescription. Usually, this requires around three pairs of lenses to achieve maximum vision correction.
One of the biggest questions patients usually have about using orthokeratology lenses is regarding their cost. The overall cost of ortho-k treatment can vary depending on the severity of a patient’s refractive error. Average prices usually range between $1,800 to $3,000, but the final price is usually determined by Dr. Reichardt. With that being said, however, the cost for ortho-k treatment is roughly half the cost of LASIK!
It is important to consider that fitting ortho-k lenses requires more expertise and is far more time-consuming than a regular contact lens fitting. Guaranteeing the best results from ortho-k lenses means that a series of visits are required to make sure Dr. Reichardt is keeping up with your progress. Your treatment may also involve multiple sets of lenses to achieve your desired results.
For more questions about the costs of ortho-k lenses, contact our eye care specialists at Tucson Eye & Ear. We are happy to come up with the best value and plan to suit your needs!
Adults with mild-to-moderate myopia are typically good candidates for ortho-k lenses. As an adult, the corneal reshaping effects are temporary, which means little risk is involved with the process. Should they wish to, adult patients can stop wearing the lenses at any time and the cornea will revert back to its previous shape.
If you are someone who doesn’t want to undergo vision correction surgery, ortho-k lenses are an ideal non-surgical alternative to LASIK. Ortho-k lenses have a much lower risk factor than invasive surgery, while at the same time offering many of the same advantages as LASIK. This is largely due to the fact that, unlike with LASIK, the effects of ortho-k are reversible.
Ortho-k lenses are also a suitable option for children, which makes them a common method of treatment used by pediatric eye specialists. As children’s vision is still under development until they reach adulthood, LASIK or other types of invasive eye surgery are typically not performed on patients under the age of 18.
For this same reason, ortho-k lenses are an excellent way to correct myopia in children and are an ideal non-surgical alternative to LASIK, regular contact lenses or even eyeglasses. When worn consistently during the critical stages of eye development, ortho-k lenses can prevent myopia from worsening with age. Treating children with ortho-k lenses also helps prevent more severe eye diseases from developing as they get older.
Do ortho-k lenses sound like a suitable vision correction treatment for you or your child? Our eye care specialists at National Eye & Ear of Tucson are ready to help you find out. To learn more about ortho-k lenses, contact us today!
Our mission is to provide high quality eye care and personalized service at affordable prices with great value.
