What you need to know about Ortho-K age limits
Ortho-K is a ground-breaking form of vision correction, and here at Ian Donald Optometrist, we’re often asked about Ortho-K age limits.
The good news is that Ortho-K really has no strict age limit – meaning children, adults and seniors can potentially use this innovative treatment. It’s important to understand however, that we would recommend it to you or your child based on several factors and not just age.
At Ian Donald Optometrist, we provide our customers with expert optometry and comprehensive eye health solutions, which means we always make tailored recommendations to ensure your eyes are the best they can be.
Ortho-K does have many potential benefits, in particular for children. Here’s what else you need to know about Ortho-K age limits and use.
“Children as young as six can safely benefit from Ortho-K, helping to slow or even stop the progression of myopia.”
About Ortho-K
As we’ve previously reported, Ortho-K (officially termed orthokeratology) is a method to improve eyesight and reduce the dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It specifically helps target common issues including myopia (short-sightedness), astigmatism, hyperopia (far-sightedness) and presbyopia (blurred near vision).
Sometimes also called vision shaping, corneal reshaping or corneal refractive therapy, it involves wearing comfortable RGP (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses overnight, which temporarily – and gently – help reshape your cornea. For best results, you should wear the lenses for between six and eight hours.
After wearing the lenses, you can expect clear and sharp vision for anywhere between 24 hours and a few days. The exciting thing is that there is also the potential to improve eyesight in certain situations – and generally, for younger wearers.
Ortho-K age limits for children
In terms of the lower end Ortho-K age limit, we’ve seen great success treating children as young as six. Ortho-K may be a good option for children who are unable to wear glasses for any reason, who are embarrassed wearing lenses or who play a lot of sport.
It also has potential eye health benefits, in particular for our customers with youth-onset myopia. The Ortho-K treatment has been shown to reduce and in some cases halt the progression of myopia if started early enough.
Many parents are also choosing Ortho-K as a preferred option to myopia surgery where that is an option for their children.
“There is no upper age limit for Ortho-K — adults and seniors can enjoy clear vision without glasses or surgery.”
Ortho-K for adults and seniors
There are no Ortho-k age limits at the upper end, with many teens, adults and seniors capable of wearing the lenses.
At this age, Ortho-K is less likely to provide long-term vision correction, but it can have particular benefits in terms of comfort and lifestyle.
Ortho-K may suit those who would prefer not to wear prescription glasses, or who have occupations or hobbies which make it difficult to wear glasses.
It can be useful if you find glasses and lenses uncomfortable but regularly drive long distances, swim or play sport, or if you work in an environment that irritates your eyes such as an airconditioned office or outdoors.
We may also recommend Ortho-K for our patients who wish to be without glasses but are unsuitable for laser surgery.
For many adults, the temporary nature of the treatment is appealing. You can stop wearing the lenses at any time without lingering effects, should you opt for suitable alternatives such as surgery or eyeglasses.
Discovering Ortho-K
If you are interested in Ortho-K for yourself or your child, we would suggest you make an appointment for an eye test.
After assessing your eyes, we can discuss the treatment fully or perhaps recommend comfortable frames, contact lenses or one of our other optometry treatments.
Please contact us for your next appointment or with any Ortho-K queries.
Meet the Author
Ian Donald
Optometrist
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
FAQs
Is there a minimum age for starting Ortho-K?
According to Ian Donald Optometry, children as young as six can be safely fitted with Ortho-K lenses to correct vision.
Is there an upper age limit for using Ortho-K?
There is no strict upper age limit — Ortho-K lenses can be successfully worn by adults and seniors as long as their eyes are healthy.
What factors besides age determine if someone is suitable for Ortho-K?
Suitability for Ortho-K treatment depends on prescription type (myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia), lifestyle, eye health, and commitment to wearing lenses overnight.
Can Ortho-K be beneficial for children in terms of managing myopia?
Yes — starting Ortho-K for children at an early age can help slow or even stop the progression of myopia.
What lifestyle or vision situations make Ortho-K a better choice for older users?
For adults or seniors who dislike wearing glasses, play sports, swim, or aren’t suitable for laser surgery, Ortho-K lenses provide a safe, reversible alternative.
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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
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