What is orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology, sometimes referred to as Orthok, is an optical correction mechanism that uses hard contact lenses to physical transformation of the eye to improve vision. In the overnight orthokeratology, which is the most common application of this method, special lenses are worn only at night and temporary effects create increased vision in the following day. The advantages are mainly when repairing myopia or short observation and to some extent correction of astigmatism.
The process is not suitable for all patients because it relies on a certain eye structure. For example, some people have particularly steep or flat corneal curves, and this may not benefit from the procedure. Patients for whom this method is often recommended includes people who have difficulty wearing contact lenses during the day, for example because they work in an environment with a dusty atmosphere or spend a very high ratio of time calculations or participate in certain sports activities that can causethat they are susceptible to losing contact lenses. Wearing contact lenses may endanger the amount of oxygen available to the eye and complications may be due to the deprivation of oxygen called corneal hypoxia. In extreme cases, this may result in corneal ulcer, bleeding and vision damage.
Modern orthokeratology lens is usually a rigid lens made of a special gas permeable substance that allows high oxygen levels to penetrate through the lens to the eye. Most ortoratological lenses manufacturers observe standards and technologies approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The lens material has an evaluation concerning the level of its permeability to oxygen, known as the evaluation of "DK".
accelerated orthokeratology is the term used by some treatment providers and patients can actually record rapid results. The lenses work by gently extinguishing the pressure on the eye to affectRedistribution and transformation of corneal cell cells. Improvement of sight can be done immediately after the first night wear of the lenses and continued improvement can follow for several weeks, after which the eye is stabilized. Ortokeratology lenses must be worn by a continued foundation, as if the lenses were interrupted, the eye simply returns to its original shape.