Orthokeratology (Corneal Reshaping Therapy)


Orthokeratology is also known by the term corneal reshaping therapy.  This form of visual correction allows a patient to wear specially designed contact lenses a few nights a week to gently reshape and hold the cornea (front clear portion of the eye) into a shape that corrects your vision without use of any glasses or contacts during the day.  Orhokeratology is a great alternative for patients considering Lasik, but who want to avoid the risks and side effects of surgery.   One exciting aspect about Orthokeratology is that it has been shown to slow down, and in some cases prevent, children becoming more nearsighted (see myopia prevention).  Dr. Adelman is a certified orthokeratology provider.

How Orthokeratology Works

Orthokeratology lenses are specially shaped to create hydrostatic forces when worn at night to gently reshape the corneal tissue.  Gentle fluid pressure over the night reshapes the cornea similar to the way your watch band reshapes the tissue on your wrist, leaving an impression of its shape when you take the watch off at the end of the day.  Just as the impression of the watch on your wrist fades over time, the effects of orthokeratology are also temporary.  How long the therapeutic effect lasts for you will depend on your particular corneal makeup.  Some people need to wear their orthokeratology lenses every night (similar to a retainer after braces) to keep their vision clear each day, other people are able to wear their orthokeratology lenses just a few nights a week to maintain good vision.

Who is a Candidate for Orthokeratology?

Nearsighted people with prescriptions up to about -6.00 generally qualify for orthokeratology.  People with low to moderate amounts of astigmatism may also be good candidates.  Farsighted people and nearsighted people with prescriptions greater than -6.00 do not tend to have good results with orthokeratology, and we generally do not recommend this therapy for them.

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