Ortho-K
Does your child need Ortho-K?
Okay, so it’s got a pretty cool name. But what exactly is Ortho-K? And does your child need it?
Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) is a painless, revolutionary procedure that corrects your child’s eyesight and reduces their dependence on glasses or contact lenses…
…all without having to undergo eye surgery!
Ortho-K lenses are kind of like braces for the eyes.
Except that Ortho-K is a fully reversible procedure and it’s comfortable.
“Ortho-K lets children enjoy clear daytime vision — without the need for glasses or daytime contacts.”
How does Ortho-K work?
Ortho-K couldn’t be easier because it works while your child is asleep at night.
These specially designed gas permeable contact lenses gently and painlessly reshape the front surface of your child’s cornea overnight.
When they wake up in the morning, they simply take out their Ortho-K lenses and enjoy clear vision throughout the day without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
What conditions does Ortho-K correct?
Ortho-K lenses are mainly prescribed to correct myopia (shortsightedness), but they can also work for children with astigmatism and hyperopia (farsightedness).
We can also use them to help slow the progression of your child’s myopia.
Does my child need to wear their Ortho-K lenses every night?
After wearing their Ortho-K lenses overnight, your child should be able to see without their glasses or contact lenses for a day or two, or sometimes even longer.
However, for best results, your child should wear their Ortho-K lenses every night.
At what age can my child start wearing Ortho-K?
There is no age limit for Ortho-K: children as young as six have been successfully and safely treated with Ortho-K lenses.
As Ortho-K has been shown to reduce or halt the progression of myopia (short-sightedness), it is one of the most common methods of vision correction in teenagers and pre-teens in our practice.
“Starting Ortho-K as young as six can help slow the progression of childhood myopia.”
Would my child be a good candidate for Ortho-K?
Ortho-K is ideal if you have a child who doesn’t want to, or is unable to, wear glasses or contact lenses all day, but they don’t mind wearing contact lenses while they sleep.
Children and teenagers especially can benefit from the freedom to play sports and wear fashion sunglasses.
This also means contact lenses or spectacles will not be left or lost at school or sport.
Ortho-K can be an excellent option for your child if they have youth-onset myopia because Ortho-K can help slow and even halt its progression.
What results should I expect from Ortho-K?
This ground-breaking treatment can correct short sightedness (including high prescriptions), farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (blurred near vision).
It is a great alternative to LASIK for those who don’t want the risk or are not ready for surgery.
‘On Friday I visited my optometrist who had a look at my eyes and he said my vision was almost text-book perfect.’ – Sienna, aged 13.
How long does Ortho-K take to work?
Your child could have excellent vision after a just a day or two of overnight Ortho-K, but if they have a higher prescription it may take two weeks or longer for maximum correction.
What are the benefits of using Ortho-K?
- May slow down the progression of myopia (short sightedness)
- No surgery required
- Available for most people
- Freedom from constant corrective lens wear
- No breaking or losing glasses or contact lenses
- Better vision improvement
- Improved lifestyle
- May prevent your prescription increasing over time
- More positive attitude about their vision
- Procedure is totally reversible
‘A young boy came in happily yesterday, and announced to everyone in the waiting room that he wouldn’t have to wear his glasses to school that day,’ says optometrist Michael Kotow. ‘It meant a lot to him, as he was the only child in his class wearing glasses.’
Is Ortho-K comfortable?
Yes! Because Ortho-K lenses are worn during sleep, comfort and lens awareness are generally not a problem.
Can my child see with Ortho-K lenses in?
Yes, your child’s vision with the lenses on will be the same as when they are removed in the morning.
Will my child’s vision fade at the end of the day?
No. Overnight contact lenses will give at least 36 hours of full vision correction. If your child wears them every night as prescribed, their vision will not fade at the end of the day.
Is it easy to take care of the lenses?
Yes. The lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected after every wear. It’s a great job for Mum or Dad! We will go over the cleaning products you will need to care for your child’s lenses.
What happens if my child stops wearing their lenses?
If your child stops wearing Ortho-K lenses when they are older, the myopia may get worse again – but it seems to be generally at a much slower rate.
How safe are the Ortho-K lenses for my child?
Ortho-K lenses are safer than standard lenses. This is because the lenses are worn for fewer hours per week.
Are there any risks with my child using Ortho-K?
The risks associated with overnight Ortho-K are the similar to extended-wear overnight traditional contact lens wear.
As with all contact lens wear, there is a small risk of infection; therefore your child’s contacts should never be worn if the eyes are red, irritated, or painful.
Call your doctor immediately should any of these symptoms occur.
Stopping the bullies: Ortho-K can change lives
Young children are often singled out and bullied because they wear glasses. And for many children there is still a stigma attached to wearing glasses.
We know how important self-esteem and confidence is in young children, and how it forms the foundations of our lives.
‘For some children, Ortho-K can be life-changing, both on a physical and social/emotional level.” – Ian Donald
So, does your child need Ortho-K?
At Ian Donald Optometrist we provide life-changing vision through innovative technology, knowledge and expertise.
We have treated generations of families. Let us treat yours.
Call us now to assess your child’s suitability.
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
What is Ortho-K and how does it work for children?
Ortho-K for children uses specially designed overnight lenses to gently reshape the cornea, giving kids clear daytime vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
What vision conditions can Ortho-K correct in children?
According to Ian Donald Optometry, Ortho-K corrects myopia (short-sightedness), and can also help with astigmatism, hyperopia, while slowing the progression of childhood myopia.
How often does my child need to wear Ortho-K lenses for them to be effective?
To maintain clear vision, children should wear Ortho-K lenses every night, though vision often remains sharp for a day or two after use.
At what age can a child start using Ortho-K?
Children as young as six can safely begin Ortho-K, provided they have healthy eyes and can manage lens hygiene with parental support.
Is Ortho-K safe and comfortable for children? What happens when they stop using it?
Ortho-K treatment is safe and comfortable since lenses are worn during sleep, and if discontinued, the cornea gradually returns to its natural shape and original vision.
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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
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