Refractive errors–such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia and astigmatism–are more common than you may think. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, i over 40 million people in the U.S. are myopic, while around 14 million are hyperopic. It is also estimated that at least one in three people has astigmatism.
Because refractive errors are so rampant, many different treatment methods have been developed over the years. The most common, of course, is corrective eyewear like eyeglasses and contact lenses. Over 150 million Americans wear eyeglasses, while about 37 million use contact lenses. Refractive surgical procedures such as LASIK (laser eye surgery), are also becoming increasingly common
However, these methods are not for everybody. Due to lifestyle and health requirements and limitations, as well as personal preferences, wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses may be uncomfortable for some, while LASIK might not be a viable option for others.
This is where orthokeratology comes in.
What Is Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology, also commonly known as ortho-k, is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that uses specially designed contact lenses that reshape the eye’s curvature while you sleep.
In orthokeratology, you wear the special contact lenses while you sleeps. The contacts put gentle pressure on the eye, temporarily reshaping its surface to correct the structural irregularity that causes your refractive error. When you wake up, you’ll enjoy clear vision throughout the next day without needing to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Now that you have a basic idea of what orthokeratology is, it’s time to learn more. Tune in for the next post to get answers to the most frequently asked questions about ortho-K.
