a path to better Eyesight for
patients
Resources below are made available as a public service to assist patients and parents-of-patients with the best information to make decisions for their eye health.
Doctor Finder
Looking for an Ortho-K doctor in your area? We are happy to help! Use our Ortho-k doctor search for a full geographical list of AAOMC members and fellows.
What is Orthokeratology
Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) is a non-surgical procedure using specially designed contact lenses to gently reshape the curvature of the eye. Improving your vision while you sleep!
What is Myopia
Myopia is a progressive visual disorder that results in poor distance vision. If the myopia is severe, it will impair near vision as well. Myopia is also known as “near-sighted” or “Short-sighted”.”
Find out if Ortho-K is right for you.
You may be a canditate!
Do you wear glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism?
Are you interested in LASIK but not quite ready?
Are you unable to wear contacts due to allergies or other sensitivities?
Are you tired of getting debris under gas permeable lenses?
Do you feel contacts inhibit your ability to enjoy sports, working out, hiking, swimming, or skiing?
Do your child’s eyes require a stronger eyeglass prescription every year?
Does your child need contacts but has trouble wearing or caring for them?
Years of AAOMC Leadership
NATL. Licensed Providers
It’s about better vision.
Who is a good candidtate
Orthokeratology can be effective on farsighted, nearsighted (myopic), and astigmatic patients. Ideally, your prescription should be in the range of +2.00 to -6.00 with no more than -1.75 diopters of surface astigmatism. In some cases your Orthokeratologist will attempt higher prescriptions
How safe is it?
Ortho-k is very safe. However, there is a small risk of infection or abnormal blood vessel growth involved when any contact lens is worn. This risk is minimized by adhering to scrupulous disinfection and care procedures, by wearing your retainers only as instructed and by coming in for regular progress checks.
How long will it take to achieve great vision?
This depends on your prescription, age, and treatment goals. In adults, the higher prescriptions can take two to four weeks to achieve good vision but children’s corneas are much more easily molded. Some patients are seeing clearly in as little as one night.
Is age a factor?
No, unlike the age limits imposed on refractive surgery, your Orthokeratologist can fit young children. And, there is no upper limit on age either.
Is the vision improvement permanent?
Patients who wear their lenses as prescribed find that they have great vision well into the evening. Some patients are even able to wear their lenses every other night and still maintain their enhanced vision. However, if you stop wearing your lenses while sleeping, your vision will return to its original state.
Are they difficult to insert and remove?
Your retainers are actually easier to insert and remove than most oxygen permeable lenses and much easier than a soft lens.