Anyone have more info on Orthokeratology (aka Ortho-K) ???

also, has anyone here had the experience of this technique?

 

I haven't but you can find lots of information on the online
encyclopedia at http://wikipedia.org

It has quite a lot about vision in subcategories of "Ophthalmology"
like glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopia, etc..

If you haven't heard about it yet its an interesting site. It has
millions of entries and anybody can contribute.

If you don't like what you read you can correct it and insert your own
opinion. Also each page has a discussion section at the top where you
can argue with people you disagree with

 

Dear Jambo,

I have not have the "experience" of this
technique, but the background is that
it was used by pilots to clear vision
from about -0.5 diopters to
about -3 diopters.

It costs about $1600, but depends
on how many "retainers" are required
to "keep" 20/20 vision.

There are now "over-night" ortho-K,
were you sleep in the lens and
keep 20/20 in the day time.

I am certain there are sites
discussing Ortho-K (by other
names) for your interest and
others will post reference to them.

Otis

 

Jambo,

I am having an ortho-k lens fitted this afternoon, and will be wearing
it overnight. I will let you know how I get on.

this contact lens should help my unusually shaped astigmatism when
other toric lenses have failed.

The lens is hard, and is shaped specifically for the wearers eye. The
front of the lens is slightly flat, putting slight pressure on the soft
cornea and therefore changes it shape to provide 20/20 vision.

Apart from my unusual prescription, wearing this lens overnnight is
better than wearing regular lenses throughout the day. Regular lenses
cut off some oxygen to the eye, are easy to get dirty, and can move
around in the eye if they dry out. Wearing an ortho-k lens removes
these problems as they eye is closed during the night.

Of course, all this is useless unless the lens is comfortable to sleep
in and successfully corrects the prescription. Both aspects I can
feedback on tomorrow morning!

David

 

Dear David,

Could you give us your initial prescription -- and an estimate
about the time it will take to clear to 20/20.

Also an estimate of the cost of Ortho-K.

Thanks,

Otis

 

Otis,

First of all, I have very unusual eyes! So be warned!

My left eye is a lazy eye and has a nominal prescription around +0.5.
I am not having an ortho-k lens fitted for this eye.

My right eye is my strong eye, but the prescription is -2.75. It has a
slight astigmatism (cannot remember the exact number) which toric
contact lenses could not correct. For this reason, I wore spectacles.
I had given up on contact lenses, and was wary of lasering my cornea to
bits! A magazine article alerted me to ortho-k, and a local optician
offered it. I had the initial appointment last week, and the lens
fitted this afternoon. I am to wear it sleeping tonight.

The shock of having a hard contact lens was not as bad as I expected.
I am wearing it for a couple of hours now so I get used to it - don't
want to have a sleepless night! I think it takes a week or so for it to
be fully comfortable. I have to wear the lens to the optician for
another appointment at 9:15am tomorrow. She will then check everything
went to plan.

I think there are different types of ortho-k lenses. I am using AOK
(Accelerated Ortho-K) and - hopefully - most of the correction should
be done by tomorrow morning! If there is -0.5 or -1.0 diopters still
to fix, I will be given a contact lens to use during the day.

I am in the UK, and the initial cost was £149 (around $270). In three
months time, I will commence a monthly payment of £25 ($45) which will
pay for my next lens.

The lens has been in for around 30 mins, and it's a bit blurry, but not
at all sore. Will let you know tomorrow how I got on.

David

 

Do tell us how it turns out. I've been toying with the idea of
investing in this system, but have been pretty leery of it.

w.stacy, o.d.

 

Yes David, ..please let us know how it goes... comfort, price,
etc...much appreciated! I was particularly interested in knowing how
long the process would take to achieve perfect vision, and how
frequently will the retainer lenses have to be worn after the fact.

Jambo