Orthokeratology, or ortho-K, is the procedure of reshaping the cornea with specific contact lenses. Ortho-K makes use of gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn at night rather than during the day.
The lenses gently and gradually remodel the surface of the eye while the patient sleeps. When the patient wakes up and removes the contact lenses, he or she should be able to see properly without glasses or other contact lenses for the rest of the day.
Ortho-K is used to treat, and in some cases, completely eliminate, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is suitable for people of all ages. In fact, this treatment is now one of the most effective ways to slow down children’s increasing myopia.
1. Over the last 30 years, myopia has become much more common. According to statistics, 1.5 billion individuals worldwide suffer from myopia, accounting for more than a quarter of the world’s population. Worse, scientists predict that by 2020, this number will have increased by 1 billion people. These numbers show that myopia is a major global health issue.
2. Ortho-K is not as recent as you may believe. Ortho-K is frequently referred to as a recent or even brand-new advancement in optometry. The approach is based on scientific breakthroughs from the 1940s. It was at this time that eye physicians realized that glass contact lenses might be used to subtly reshape the eye.
More advancements were made in the 1960s and 1980s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that the treatment really took off. Several technological advances in the 1990s improved the feasibility of ortho-K, from computerized corneal topography software for mapping the surface of the eye to advancements in oxygen-permeable contact lenses, allowing ortho-K to now deliver overnight results.
3. The effects of ortho-K lenses can last up to a week. The vision-clearing effects of ortho-K contact lenses often last up to two days. During this time, the patient’s vision will be mostly or completely free of the problems that previously plagued it. It’s important to remember that the ortho-K effect is only transient, especially in the beginning phases of treatment. Patients are recommended to wear their lenses while sleeping every night for the best outcomes. Ortho-K lenses can be worn during the day, although they are less pleasant than other types of contacts for daytime usage since they reshape the cornea.
4. Hydraulic considerations cause corneal reshaping while using ortho-K lenses. Some patients believe that corneal reshaping will be painful, in part because they believe that ortho-K lenses work by “squishing” or “squeezing” the eye. Hydraulic forces are what allow the reshaping to happen.
The lens creates a varying-thickness vault of tears or fluid over the eye. Because of the differences in thickness, certain regions of the cornea get dry and hence thinner, while others absorb more moisture and become thicker. The form of the eye replicates the shape of the lens throughout this procedure, successfully addressing curvature abnormalities on a temporary basis.
5. Ortho-K fits cannot be completed in a single appointment. Ortho-K fittings usually necessitate several visits. To acquire a perfect fit, you’ll probably need numerous sets of temporary lenses and several months. Finally, taking the time to acquire the perfect personalized fit is worthwhile and will result in improved vision correction.
6. Ortho-K is very beneficial for children. Ortho-K therapy is suitable for almost anyone who suffers from myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. Children and young adults, on the other hand, are excellent prospects because they are typically not suitable candidates for LASIK or refractive surgery. Wearing ortho-K lenses every night can provide excellent outcomes for kids who want or need to be glasses-free especially athletes.
7. Insurance does not cover Ortho-K. Most vision insurance companies do not cover Ortho-K because it is deemed a “elective surgery.” The cost of installing ortho-K lenses is a tiny price to pay for all-day clear vision for most people in need of a vision solution.
For more information:
Elise Kramer, OD, of Miami Contact Lens Institute, is a residency-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in ocular health and illness, ocular surface disease, and standard and specialized contact lens fitting. She has built a distinctive scleral lens practice during the last five years.
Is orthokeratology expensive?
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a non-surgical therapy that involves gently reshaping the curvature of the cornea with specially constructed gas permeable or hard contact lenses to improve vision. This procedure allows you to see with corrected vision for a day or two without the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day. Patients should use their ortho-k lenses every night for the best results. Orthokeratology treatment therapy can be used to address refractive problems such nearsightedness, mild astigmatism, and even presbyopia in some situations. It can also be used to slow down the progression of myopia in children. We’ll look at how much ortho-k lenses cost, whether or not they’re covered by insurance, and how financing can assist.
How much is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)?
The cost of Orthokeratology varies greatly based on the kind and severity of your refractive problem, as well as if you want long-term myopia control as well as temporary vision repair. The cost can also vary depending on the optometrist, the location of the treatment, and the type of practice where it is performed. Treatment costs typically vary from $1,000 to $2,000, while more complex instances might cost up to $4,000. 1 Additional costs might range from $300 to $500 each year for new lenses, lens care solution, and follow-up exams.
Does insurance cover Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) costs?
Orthokeratology is usually not covered entirely by vision insurance, but some policies may cover a portion of the costs.
What is the cost of Ortho-K?
How much does it cost? In India, Ortho-K costs between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000 and can be used for a year (which is roughly half the cost of LASIK).
Is Ortho-K more expensive than contacts?
You might be surprised to learn that contact lens solution can cost anywhere from $150 to $200 per year. Those who wear biweekly or monthly contacts may only spend roughly $300 for a year’s supply of contacts, but they spend a lot of money just on contact lens solution refills. Wearers of daily contact lenses, on the other hand, have their disposable pairs pre-sealed and ready to use.
How long do orthokeratology lenses last?
We will assess your suitability for ortho-K wear during this session. We have a variety of cutting-edge technology at Innovative Eye Care to help us. This includes slit lamp imaging to determine whether the eye’s surface is healthy, checking your prescription with subjective and objective refraction to determine the amount of correction needed, mapping the cornea with corneal topography and tomography to design the lens, and, in the case of myopia control, analyzing the length of the eye with ocular biometry to see if ortho-K is needed to slow down growth.
Because vision correction is not always complete, you may need someone to drive you to your appointment. Take removed the lenses as soon as you wake up to reduce any sensitivity and to remove any’sleep’ that has accumulated overnight. While your ortho-K lenses continue to reshape your eyes, your optometrist will check how much your prescription has changed and can give you with disposable soft lenses.
Most people’s eyesight clarity will be close to 100 percent. Your optometrist will assess how effectively the ortho-K lenses are working and whether or not your eyes are tolerating them. If the visual result needs to be improved, the lenses can be fine-tuned, and a warranty replacement can be obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
The concept of corneal moulding to cure myopia may have begun millennia ago, when the Chinese used sandbags to cover their eyelids to improve eyesight. Ortho-K has been around since the 1940s and has been continually developed throughout the decades to the point where it currently offers consistently safe and predictable correction. 1
Ortho-K lenses can be used at any age; children as young as six have been treated effectively and securely with ortho-K lenses. Ortho-K is one of the most prevalent techniques of vision correction in teenagers and pre-teens in our practice because it has been proved to minimize or stop the progression of myopia (short-sightedness). 2,3
Any contact lenses have the potential to harm your eyes or create an infection; however, research suggests that infection rates are less than half as high while wearing ortho-K lenses overnight as when wearing soft contact lenses.
4 Correct cleanliness, lens care, and lens replacement every 1-2 years reduce the risk of issues when wearing ortho-K lenses. If your contact lenses don’t fit properly, long-term use could injure your cornea. Instead of being pulled out of a case and fitted by trial and error, our lenses are developed with computer software, making them considerably more likely to fit safely from the start.
Ortho-K contact lenses are made of a unique, highly oxygen-permeable polymer that differs from soft contact lenses in terms of handling. Although they look like RGP hard contact lenses, the back surface of the lens is designed differently to allow corneal tissue remodelling.
Yes. One of the best things about ortho-K is that you can still see quite well if you wake up in the middle of the night. Extended day-wear is not recommended, since it may affect corneal health over time.
You will need to wear your lenses every night throughout the first few weeks of therapy to guarantee that you have clear vision during the day. As your correction stabilizes, you may find that you can achieve perfect daytime vision even if you only wear the lenses every other night! Prior to Ortho-K, patients with higher prescriptions would most likely need to wear the lenses every night to get the best results.
Because the cornea gradually returns to its pre-ortho-K shape after the lenses are removed, you may notice that your vision is a little blurrier the next morning. If this is a frequent occurrence, most people with high prescriptions may require low-powered spectacles or soft contact lenses for daytime wear.
The majority of patients respond quickly in the first few days of treatment. After only the first night’s wear, 50-70 percent of the essential correction is usually achieved. Depending on the prescription, it may take up to 10-14 days of treatment to get optimal, steady vision.
Depending on the state of the ortho-K lens, we recommend replacing it every 1-2 years. This is to improve the quality of the corneal molding, as wear and tear on the back side of the lens reduces its effectiveness over time, and to reduce the risk of infection or inflammatory reactions from using a scratched or filthy lens. Each 6 month follow-up appointment should include bringing your ortho-K lenses so that your optometrist can examine them under a microscope to assess their condition.
Corrective lenses may be required for driving, according on your driver’s license. Your optometrist can create a letter stating that you are undergoing a vision rehabilitation program that has eliminated the necessity for corrective glasses while driving. If you’re driving, make sure you put your ortho-K glasses in the night before. See also Vision and Driving.
I live a long way away and will find it difficult to keep all of my appointments. Is ortho-K still an option for me?
When starting ortho-K, it’s critical to keep regular checkups to guarantee the greatest vision and eye health. Long-distance patients can be accommodated in a variety of ways, including prolonged appointments with in-office wear time rather than a morning appointment the next day. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Ortho-K vision correction costs around a third of what laser vision correction costs. It’s also entirely reversible and doesn’t have the same risk of aggravating your dry eyes as laser correction. Unlike a one-time laser surgery, when individuals reach their mid-forties and need help with their near vision (see presbyopia), prtho-K therapy can be changed to provide clear vision at all distances without the use of spectacles.
As long as you use your ortho-K lenses, you should see a reduction in myopia. There is no evidence of patients’rebounding’ after discontinuing ortho-K contact lenses, either to study or anecdotal testimonies. Patients who begin wearing ortho-K contact lenses for myopia control are likely to continue wearing them until their late teens, when myopia tends to stabilize. Your optometrist should make the choice to cease ortho-K, and your prescription and eye length should be regularly checked for probable regression. Of course, most patients are so pleased with their ortho-K lenses that they keep them on long into adulthood!
Even if you’ve just had an eye exam with another optometrist, a thorough eye exam at Innovative Eye Care is required before entering ortho-K. To determine if your eyes are suitable, several characteristics of your eyes will be evaluated, including your health, vision, and corneal shape. If you’ve had a comprehensive eye exam with us in the last 12 months, you may only need a corneal topography and a quick conversation with your optometrist to evaluate if ortho-K is suited for you.
See our care of orthokeratology lenses page for advice on how to handle and care for ortho-K lenses.
References
- J. Mountford, D. Ruston, and T. Dave “Orthokeratology” is a term that refers to the Butterworth-Heinemann, Edinburgh, 1st ed.
- N. Efron, N. Efron, N. Efron, N. Efron “Contact Lens Complications.” Corneal Warpage. 3rd edition Elsevier, Sydney.
How much do CRT lenses cost?
“I had no notion,” Levenson admitted, “that any of this could have happened.” “It was absolutely safe as far as I was concerned.” She claimed she had no idea what brand of contact lenses her son had been prescribed.
For decades, people have used contact lenses to sculpt the cornea in an attempt to prevent myopia (nearsightedness) from progressing. Better contact lens materials and technological advancements in assessing patients’ corneas allowed lenses to be worn overnight to correct daytime vision in the 1990s.
The first orthokeratology contact lenses, as they’re known, were approved for nighttime usage by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. According to some research, the glasses may help delay the advancement of myopia, which is on the rise among children all over the world.
Orthokeratology lenses are now largely sold to children and teenagers with mild to moderate myopia by optometrists. The stiff, gas-permeable lenses are often worn overnight and removed during the day. However, the effect is just temporary, and the lenses must be worn nightly to retain excellent daytime vision. The lenses, which are also known as ortho-k lenses, can cost anywhere from $800 to $2,000 and are usually not covered by insurance.
Lower Risk of Complications
Complications can occur with any medical gadget or operation. Both ortho-k and LASIK have hazards, however LASIK’s are thought to be more significant.
While LASIK complications are uncommon, they can cause corneal abnormalities like astigmatism or severe dry eye syndrome, as well as visual issues like glare, distortion, and seeing halos around lights.
The hazards linked with ortho-k lenses, on the other hand, are the same as those involved with any other stiff contact lenses. The most common cause of contact lens discomfort and problems is poor cleanliness.
Orthokeratology is Reversible
LASIK surgery is not reversible, and if complications arise, additional medical operations may be required to correct any issues.
Ortho-k, on the other hand, is painless and totally reversible if you decide to stop using it. Your corneas will gradually restore to their original, natural form after a few nights without using the lenses.
Better For Dry Eyes
If you have signs of dry eye syndrome, such as dryness and irritation, you may want to reconsider having LASIK surgery. Dry eye syndrome is a typical adverse effect of LASIK, and many persons with the condition are recommended not to have the procedure.
Dry eye syndrome can make wearing regular contact lenses uncomfortable.
Ortho-k is ideal for persons who suffer from mild to moderate dry eyes because it eliminates the requirement for daytime contact lenses.
More Cost-Effective
Both LASIK and ortho-k are likely to save you money in the long run by eliminating the need for spectacles, contact lenses, and other related expenses. In most situations, however, the upfront costs of ortho-k lenses are less than half of the cost of LASIK surgery.
The cost of ortho-k lenses varies depending on a number of factors, including the severity of your refractive problem.
Reduce Myopia Progression
Nearsightedness, or myopia, increases the likelihood of acquiring sight-threatening disorders later in life, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. The bigger the risk, the higher (worse) the myopia. The hazards rise as myopia progresses and worsens.
This risk can be effectively reduced by slowing myopia. Myopia can worsen well into one’s twenties, with at least 10% of nearsighted persons aged 20 and up still experiencing some degree of myopia advancement.
Ortho-k has been shown in clinical studies to delay the progression of myopia in children and young adults, making it an excellent nearsightedness treatment.
LASIK, on the other hand, does not provide any of these advantages. Refractive procedures just change the cornea’s focusing capacity to produce clear vision while disregarding the fundamental condition that causes myopia-related eyeball elongation.
Only those whose eyes have stopped developing, usually those aged 21 and up, are candidates for LASIK. As a result, unlike ortho-k, it is unlikely to reduce the progression of myopia in teenagers and young adults.
In fact, many teenagers and young adults who are considering LASIK wear ortho-k lenses to help stabilize their myopia and boost their chances of LASIK success once their eyes finish growing in their 20s.
Is orthokeratology covered by FSA?
Many Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA) can reimburse orthokeratology, so you may not have to pay for it fully out of pocket. Ortho-k charges may be reimbursed through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Just make sure to double-check your specific plan, as not all of them are identical.
From EyeCarePro on Vimeo, use your benefits in 2020 to correct myopia with Ortho-K.
Does Ortho-K really work?
Almost everybody can benefit from ortho-K lenses, but youngsters are especially ideal candidates. This is due to the fact that LASIK surgery is not appropriate for these young individuals. Ortho-K lenses, on the other hand, often produce excellent outcomes in children who do not wish to wear glasses. This treatment is currently known to be one of the most successful treatments for slowing down progressive myopia in children, and it is quickly becoming the gold standard for myopia control. Others who qualify include people with prescriptions within a certain range and those who require vision correction without the use of corrective glasses, such as pilots, police officers, or sports.
Can Ortho-K correct astigmatism?
Another common refractive mistake is astigmatism, which is produced by an uneven curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye (lenticular astigmatism). Light rays do not bend appropriately due to uneven curvature. As a result, both near and far things become fuzzy or distorted in your vision. Ortho-k can help with astigmatism in some circumstances. The clinical approach, for example, can only cure the corneal astigmatism component. Spherical ortho-k lenses only reshape the cornea’s anterior surface. It is unable to alter the profile of your eyes’ refractive surfaces. As a result, ortho-k can only be used if your astigmatism is predominantly corneal rather than lenticular.