What is Ortho K? & How Does Ortho K Work?

Dr. Jonathan Chen and Dr. Lay Nim at Vision Source Insight Eyecare are Ortho-K specialists serving Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Buckhead, and Atlanta. The practice has been helping patients achieve vision correction using Ortho-K for over 15 years.

What is Ortho K? What is Orthokeratology?

Ortho-k or Orthokeratology, is a vision correction technique performed by Optometrists such as Dr. Chen. The treatment uses specially designed and fitted contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision. Many refer to this treatment as Corneal Reshaping and it works in a similar way to dental braces but for the eyes. A course of prescribed contact lenses worn at night can result in temporary vision correction during the day and can replace the need for eyeglasses or regular contact lenses.

How Does Ortho-K Work?

Ortho-K is often referred to as Corneal Reshaping and can achieve vision correction by gently changing the shape of the cornea with the use of special Ortho-K contacts. The cornea is a clear, flexible, dome-shaped window in the front of your eye that is responsible for focusing light onto the retina and attributes the ability of the eye to focus. A slight reshaping of the cornea can have dramatic effects on vision acuity.

Corneal Topographer

The patient will receive a scan from a corneal topographer, an instrument that will map and measure the surface of the cornea. The results of the scan are used to match the unique shape and curves of the patient’s cornea to a precise, custom design of contact lens.

Ortho-K Contacts

A course of Ortho-K contacts are developed to gently reshape the patient’s cornea. The lenses flatten the center of the cornea thereby changing the trajectory of light entering the eye and how it is refracted onto the retina. A small change in this refraction can have dramatic effects on vision correction. The lenses are rigid, gas-permeable contacts and are sturdy enough to reshape the cornea when worn overnight. The contacts are removed in the morning and the cornea retains the optimized shape for between 8 and 16 hours. The cornea reshaping is repeated the following night when the patient inserts new contact lenses. It can take an initial ramp-up period (up to2 weeks) to achieve a level of reshaping that can then be maintained on a nightly basis.

Does Ortho-K Work?

In FDA trials performed in 2005, Ortho-K treatment achieved 20/20 vision in 60% of patients and 20/40 in 90% of the patients. When used as a response to Myopia, specifically in children, it was found to slow the rate of progression by 36-56% versus those treated with eyeglasses.

Ortho-K – Sandy Springs, Atlanta, GA

Vision Source Insight Eyecare has been treating patients using Orthokeratology since 2005 and have helped hundreds of patients achieve amazing results. All Ortho-K treatment begins with a Consultation. Please call to schedule an Appointment today at Sandy Springs/Atlanta 404 250 1680.