Ortho-k for Children
Ortho-k Contact Lenses Are an Effective Option for Myopia Management
Ortho-k for Children
- Ortho-k Manages Your Child’s Myopia While They Sleep!
A major focus of The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute is offering patients the highest performance myopia management options available, and orthokeratology (ortho-k) is one of the top myopia control options, both in the US, and internationally.
Ortho-k is referred to by many names, such as night lenses, OK lenses, OK, overnight vision correction, or corneal refractive therapy (CRT). Regardless of the name, ortho-k is the use of specially designed contact lenses to reshape the cornea, which improves vision. This type of treatment is compared to “braces for the eyes”. Ortho-k is FDA-approved for overnight wear, and although this page will focus on children, ortho-k can be useful for adults as well.
Specific to children, the main benefit of ortho-k is that it is proven to help slow the progression of myopia. Additionally, children in ortho-k have freedom from glasses or contacts during the day. This freedom from glasses during the day has been shown to provide academic and/or sports performance improvements, as well as potential mental health benefits in some circumstances.
How Does Ortho-k Work?
The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped window in the front of your eye that focuses light onto the retina and is responsible for most of the eye’s ability to focus. Eye tissue is very flexible and can adjust if there is a contact resting on it in the right way.
Ortho-k lenses, FDA-approved for overnight wear, gently reshape the cornea as the wearer sleeps, by utilizing the tears between the ortho-k lens and the cornea. This subtle flattening of the cornea’s center alters the way light enters the eye, effectively correcting vision. Upon removal of the ortho-k lenses in the morning, the cornea retains its reshaped form for some time, allowing for clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or conventional contact lenses.
The Top Ortho-k Doctors in Raleigh
Our doctors lecture nationally on the topic of myopia management and are well versed on the various treatment options for myopia, including, but not limited to MiSight, orthokeratology (ortho-k) and the use of Atropine.
Our office has advanced technology which is not commonly found at all optometry offices, and this allows our doctors to provide the best possible results to their myopia management patients. At our office you can expect to spend 100% of your time on-one-on with the doctor, and a very thorough and detailed examination.There are several options for myopia management in children, and the doctor will allow plenty of time to explain all potential options.
- Ortho-k not only corrects for myopia, but also slows the progression of myopia
- Eliminates the need for glasses or contacts during the day, which offers the following benefits:
- Freedom from glasses offers quality of life benefits, whether it’s not having to worry about glasses on the playground or during sports/activities
- Some studies show increased performance in school and increased self-confidence
- There are health, safety, and financial benefits by eliminating the need for glasses or contacts to be worn during the day (lost/damaged glasses, less risk of infection, etc.)
It can take around two weeks to attain the maximum vision correction from orthokeratology, although some people experience significant vision improvement in days.
Until your child gets adjusts to ortho-k lenses, they may feel lenses on their eyes until they fall asleep. With time, they will become more comfortable.
It’s important to note that this effect is temporary; if a child discontinues the nightly use of these lenses for 2 to 3 nights, their cornea will revert to its original shape, and the previous refractive error will reappear. Therefore, consistent nightly wear of ortho-k lenses is essential to maintain the corrected vision during the day.
During an exam, the doctor will map and measure the surface of your child’s cornea using a unique and specialized device called the Pentacam AXL Wave, and will then design a lens specifically for your child’s eyes. The Pentacam AXL Wave collects 240,000 different data points on the shape of their eyes, and this data is used to design the best possible ortho-k lens.
The main concern with ortho-k is an increased risk of infection, such as microbial/bacterial keratitis, if proper hand washing and lens care are not followed. One of the benefits of ortho-k is it typically is easier for children to properly care for contact lenses at home, but infection can still occur in the absence of proper care and/or hygiene.
Our patients often ask what the best brand of ortho-k contact lens is. They also may ask about the typical cost of ortho-k treatment, and/or which brand of ortho-k is the most affordable. At Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, patients come to us wearing many different brands of contact lenses that they have been previously prescribed, including, but not limited to, Paragon CRT, WAVE Night lenses, VST lenses, EyeSpace, and Euclid Emerald.
While we recommend the brands listed above, in special circumstances we will work with additional manufacturers. If you have any questions, we are available for a free phone consultation to discuss your child’s specific situation and can be reached at (919) 850 5910 or hello@raleighcontactlens.com.
Our Doctors Lecture Nationwide on Ortho-k
Why Raleigh Contact Lens Institute for
Ortho-k?
The Team
The team at Raleigh Contact Lens Institute are experts in myopia management in children, and in fitting customized ortho-k contact lenses.
Advanced Technology
Our office is one of a few practices in the country that is equipped with the Pentacam AXL Wave and Optovue Solix OCT, which aid in the design and (potential) adjustment of ortho-k.
Specializing in Ortho-k Contacts for Children
We do not offer traditional eye exams for “normal” eyes, and instead, a large percentage of our patients come to looking for advanced and customized contacts, including customized ortho-k contact lenses.
Access to the Doctor
We allow for enough time for thorough comprehensive exams, and plenty of time for answering questions. No rushing in and out here.
Unlimited Answers
We allow for enough time for thorough comprehensive exams, and plenty of time for answering questions. No rushing in and out here.
Affordability
We keep our overhead costs low and offer very competitive prices as a result. We have monthly payment options available and also accept CareCredit™, HSA, & FSA.
Summary
Our doctors present nationwide on the topic of myopia management and are well versed on the most up-to-date research and latest techniques and most effective methods of myopia management.
Additionally, Dr. Cerenzie has been honored with the distinction of Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society (FSLS), which is bestowed on advanced level practitioners within the specialty lens industry. In fact, currently there are only approximately 300 members worldwide of this elite group of specialty contact lens doctors.
Ortho-k is one potential treatment option for myopia, and during an initial comprehensive exam, our doctors will discuss other potential treatment options, such as the use of atropine, multifocal contacts. One of the benefits of visiting Raleigh Contact Lens Institute is the amount of one-on-one time with the doctor, which allows for plenty of time to ask questions and evaluate all options.
Ortho-k Gallery
