Lenses for Overnight Vision Improvement
For those seeking glasses and contact lens free vision, orthokeratology (ortho-k), also known as vision shaping treatment (VST) and corneal refractive therapy (CRT), offers an overnight treatment which allows for non-surgical, glasses and contact lens free, vision improvement.
As it is not a surgery it can be used on individuals of all ages. For young athletes, this can be an excellent option to eliminate the issues that come with wearing contact lenses or glasses during training and competition. For those with contact lens discomfort, this can eliminate the issues by eliminating day time contact lens wear.
Additionally, orthokeratology can be used until a patient is ready or of age to undergo a permanent vision correction procedure. Orthokeratology utilizes a specialized contact lens, referred to as a ortho-k retainer, which gently reshapes the cornea. The retainer is applied prior to bedtime and worn overnight. In the morning the retainer is removed and vision is improved.
Visual Conditions Ortho-K can Correct:
Nearsightedness: Myopia with or without astigmatism
Farsightedness: Hyperopia with or without astigmatism
Presbyopia: Age-related farsightedness
Anisometropia: Disparity between eyes
Understanding Vision, The Cornea and Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Treatment
Vision and Corneal Anatomy
The eye is similar to a camera – a series of lenses (cornea and internal lens in the eye) are in place to help focus light on the film or camera sensor (retina in the eye). The cornea is analogous to the front lens on a camera. The curvature of the camera lens determines the focusing power, and similarly the curvature of the cornea determines it focusing ability. Normal corneas have a smooth dome shape, just like a camera lens, and this allows light to focus to a single, sharp focal point.
In a perfect eye this focal point lands on the retina. When this focal point is in front or behind the retina, vision is blurred. Changes to the curvature of a cornea result in movement of the focal point position and when the focal point is moved to the retina, vision is clear.
The cornea is the most important anatomic contributor to focusing light on the retina. It is made of multiple clear tissue layers to allow light to pass through it. The two main layers are a thin epithelium, which is a surface cell layer and a thicker layer called the stroma, which is made of a collagen matrix.
The Corneal Shape
The curvature of the cornea is variable from person to person. This curvature is what determines the focusing ability of the eye. When an individual is nearsighted (myopia or myopic) or farsighted (hyperopia or hyperopic), additional lenses, such a glasses or contact lenses, can be used to move the focal point of the eye to improve vision. Another way to move the focal point of the eye is to change the curvature of the cornea. The corneal curvature can be mapped with sophisticated devices called corneal topographers. The image above shows a normal cornea contour. Changes to this curvature is analogous to changing the power of a lens. This moves the focal point to the retina and improves vision. Corneal curvature change can be accomplished by corneal surgeries, such as LASIK, which alters the stromal layer to create the corneal curvature change. Corneal curvature change can also be created non-surgically with orthokeratology. This overnight treatment simply reshapes the epithelial layer.
Corneal Shape Changes with Ortho-K
Before Ortho-K Retainer Wear
Prior to treatment with ortho-k, a corneal topography map is made. Using these maps, lenses are custom-designed for optimal fit and vision correction. Patients will wear an ortho-k retainer overnight to reshape the corneal contour.
After Ortho-K Retainer Wear
In the morning, after removal of the ortho-k retainer, the corneal shape will have changed. This shape change alters the focusing power of the cornea, improving vision. This effect is temporary so the retainer will need to be worn nightly. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) gently and non-surgically reshapes the top layer most layer of the cornea.
Orthokeratology treatment gently changes the epithelial layer shape. After the retainer is removed the epithelium retains the altered shape. This layer thickness change is temporarily maintained, and this effect may last 1 to 3 days. If treatment is stopped, the cornea will return to is natural shape.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), Myopia Management and Vision Correction Procedures
Myopia management will keep the level of myopia at a much lower level. The benefit is vision correction procedures are easier to perform and have better outcomes when the level of myopia is low.
Individuals seeking glasses and contact lens free vision correction offered by orthokeratology should also consider vision correction procedures. Orthokeratology, though great at correcting vision, still requires daily maintenance as well as nightly application and removal.
Our philosophy, for those with normal corneas, is to provide glasses free vision correction for life. We offer every type of specialty contact lens and every vision correction procedure. Our doctors are among the nation’s foremost experts in vision correction procedures and were instrumental in the development of procedures such as LASIK. If you are interested in eliminating the use of glasses or contact lenses, please visit The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute for a consultation.
