Ortho-K Lenses
Accelerated Orthokeratology (A-OK)
What is Accelerated Orthokeratology?
Accelerated orthokeratology is the use of specially designed retainer contact lenses to gently reshape the front surface of the eye (called the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to realign teeth.
What is Accelerated Orthokeratology?
Accelerated orthokeratology is the use of specially designed retainer contact lenses to gently reshape the front surface of the eye (called the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to realign teeth.
The retainer contact lenses are worn at night while sleeping. They are removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using eyeglasses or contact lenses! The retainers are comfortable and very easy to care for.
What are the advantages of doing accelerated orthokeratology?
Our A-OK program of accelerated orthokeratology allows you to be free from contact lenses and eyeglasses during waking hours. This is ideal for sports enthusiasts, and those patients who work in dusty, dry, or dirty environments. It is ideal for young children who can't be expected to handle lenses on their own. It is also ideal for those contact lens patients who have been unable to wear their contacts because of dryness or redness.
Our A-OK program of accelerated orthokeratology allows you to be free from contact lenses and eyeglasses during waking hours. This is ideal for sports enthusiasts, and those patients who work in dusty, dry, or dirty environments. It is ideal for young children who can't be expected to handle lenses on their own. It is also ideal for those contact lens patients who have been unable to wear their contacts because of dryness or redness.
Ortho-K allows you to perform your daily activities without the hassle of cleaning your eyeglasses, lubricating your contact lenses or carrying around eyeglass cases and/or contact lens supplies during the day.
There may be an added benefit in the ability to prevent or slow progressive nearsightedness increases.
Why not just have Laser Refractive Surgery?
- Accelerated orthokeratology is ideal for patients of all ages, including children. Laser surgery is only performed after the age of 18.
- There is no post-operative pain with accelerated orthokeratology and therefore no need for post-operative medications like steroids or antibiotics.
- It is easy to modify your contact lenses should there be an increase in nearsightedness after beginning accelerated orthokeratology. Laser surgery would require a surgical re-correction.
- Accelerated orthokeratology is about 1/3 the cost of Laser refractive surgery.
- Accelerated orthokeratology is reversible should you not be satisfied with the results. Laser surgery and the side effects from it are not reversible.
- Our A-OK program can be done even if your prescription has been increasing. Laser refractive surgery should only be done if your prescription has been stable for at least one year.
Is everyone a candidate for accelerated orthokeratology?
No. The procedure works best on mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness and/or astigmatism. More severe cases can have their vision improved, but will still need some vision compensation. The procedure also does not work well on certain shaped corneas or where the corneal tissue is not as bendable. The speed at which the vision improvement will be seen can vary from person to person.
No. The procedure works best on mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness and/or astigmatism. More severe cases can have their vision improved, but will still need some vision compensation. The procedure also does not work well on certain shaped corneas or where the corneal tissue is not as bendable. The speed at which the vision improvement will be seen can vary from person to person.
There are no age barriers for accelerated orthokeratology. It is safe for both children and adults. In fact, it is an excellent alternative to eyeglasses for children who have just become nearsighted. In fact, A-OK may prevent the increase in the nearsightedness or may slow down any progressive changes.
While success rates are high, success cannot be guaranteed. There are small percentages of people who show an inability to wear the contact lens retainer.
Can't I be fit for Accelerated Orthokeratology by any doctor that fits contact lenses?
No. A-OK requires a higher level of experience in the use and fitting of rigid contact lenses. Our office has used these lenses to fit patients of all ages. We also have the necessary diagnostic equipment and computer software to be able to perform A-OK.
No. A-OK requires a higher level of experience in the use and fitting of rigid contact lenses. Our office has used these lenses to fit patients of all ages. We also have the necessary diagnostic equipment and computer software to be able to perform A-OK.
What does the Accelerated Orthokeratology procedure involve?
A comprehensive eye health and vision examination is performed first. Then, several measurements of the front of your eyes, including a corneal topography will be taken. The corneal topographer is used to obtain a very precise computerized map of the curvature and shape of the cornea. A computerized software program uses this information to design a pair of retainer contact lenses for your eyes.
A comprehensive eye health and vision examination is performed first. Then, several measurements of the front of your eyes, including a corneal topography will be taken. The corneal topographer is used to obtain a very precise computerized map of the curvature and shape of the cornea. A computerized software program uses this information to design a pair of retainer contact lenses for your eyes.
After the lenses are manufactured by a specialty contact lens laboratory, you will be asked to return to the office for the fitting of the retainers. At this time your vision and the fit of the lenses will be checked. You will be instructed on the insertion and removal of the retainers, the care and maintenance of the retainers and given instruction on wearing. Pediatric patients will need to have a parent responsible for assuring that the lenses are well cared for and inserted and removed properly.
You will be sent home with wearing instructions after successfully being able to insert and remove the lenses. Generally this will involve wearing the lenses over night the first night. You will be checked the following day in our office. Should you experience any problems during the night with your retainers, we ask that you remove them.
Most of the visual changes will occur rapidly over the first few days or weeks. We will need to see you in the office several times during this period. As the cornea gently changes shape and vision improves, we will monitor your progress and make adjustments in the fit of your retainers as needed.
If you require the use of a temporary vision correction while your vision is changing, we will be happy to provide you with one day soft contact lenses to be worn during the day, or for various activities or tasks. You may also use older, weaker spectacles during this time. This is generally needed only for a few days.
The majority of patients achieve excellent vision in a few days. Even after you are seeing well, we will need to see you to monitor the health of your eyes. Most patients are done with their treatment in two months. When the treatment is completed, the last retainer used will be worn on a nightly basis. Depending on various factors, some patients may only require the retainers every other night.
Should you stop wearing your contact lens retainers, your vision will gradually return to its original level.
Is Accelerated Orthokeratology new?
Orthokeratology has been done in the past with hard and then rigid gas permeable lenses. With the advent of corneal topography, more permeable contact lenses, and more sophisticated contact lens designs, accelerated orthokeratology became possible. This allowed more predictable, rapid changes and gave us the ability to fit these lenses for nighttime wear.
Orthokeratology has been done in the past with hard and then rigid gas permeable lenses. With the advent of corneal topography, more permeable contact lenses, and more sophisticated contact lens designs, accelerated orthokeratology became possible. This allowed more predictable, rapid changes and gave us the ability to fit these lenses for nighttime wear.
My prescription has been changing. Is the A-OK program for me?
Accelerated orthokeratology may be part of a series of recommendations that Dr. Rothman makes regarding progressive nearsightedness. Other recommendations may include vision therapy, the use of near vision or computer glasses to ease the focusing demands for these tasks, as well as basic visual hygiene and nutrition. The use of rigid gas permeable lenses has been shown to reduce the likelihood of progressive nearsightedness.
Accelerated orthokeratology may be part of a series of recommendations that Dr. Rothman makes regarding progressive nearsightedness. Other recommendations may include vision therapy, the use of near vision or computer glasses to ease the focusing demands for these tasks, as well as basic visual hygiene and nutrition. The use of rigid gas permeable lenses has been shown to reduce the likelihood of progressive nearsightedness.
What are the costs of Accelerated Orthokeratology?
The A-OK program is an all-inclusive program that includes the fitting and follow up office visits plus all contact lens changes. At the conclusion of the program, it is recommended that an extra set of contact lens retainers be ordered, at additional charge, so that there will be no lapse in wearing schedule should a lens be lost or damaged. The total cost of the program is based on the complexity of the case and depends on the corneal shape, the amount of nearsightedness to be reduced and prior contact lens wear.
The A-OK program is an all-inclusive program that includes the fitting and follow up office visits plus all contact lens changes. At the conclusion of the program, it is recommended that an extra set of contact lens retainers be ordered, at additional charge, so that there will be no lapse in wearing schedule should a lens be lost or damaged. The total cost of the program is based on the complexity of the case and depends on the corneal shape, the amount of nearsightedness to be reduced and prior contact lens wear.
Payment is expected in full at the time of the initial fitting visit. No lenses will be ordered unless your account is clear. Financing options are available.
Your success with Accelerated Orthokeratology depends upon your continued use of the retainer contact lenses, your keeping all of your scheduled follow up appointments, and your individual eye's ability to be gently changed. Just as with any medical procedure, there can be no guarantees of success.
We will do our best to exhaust all possibilities to insure your success from the initial visit to the completion of the program. Our fee is based on the office time that we are giving to your care plus the cost of materials used.
We do not receive credit for any retainers returned. Refunds for any uncompleted programs cannot be assured but will be taken on a case by case basis.
We are excited about this new program and its potential for improving the quality of your life. Please feel free to ask Dr. Rothman about any concerns you might have.