Ortho-K

Adults and children with myopia, or nearsightedness, have difficulty seeing objects clearly from a distance. Myopia happens when your eyeball grows too long front to back, or when issues with the shape of your cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) or the lens occur.

Without treatment of nearsightedness, children may fall behind in school, experience eyestrain and headaches, or face more serious future risks such as retinal detachments, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and blindness.

Ortho-K is a surgery-free solution to nearsightedness. Specially designed contact lenses are worn overnight, and work to gently correct the curvature of the cornea while you sleep. In the morning, simply remove the lenses and enjoy enhanced vision. It takes between 7-14 days of treatment to obtain unaided vision throughout your day.

The idea of corneal reshaping to correct myopia may have originated more than 200 years ago when the Samurai's used bags of sand resting on their closed eyelids to improve their vision prior to going to war.

Reshaping the cornea using standard rigid contact lenses was first reported in 1962 at the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists conference in Chicago, by George Jessen who described his "orthofocus" procedure. Unfortunately, this process took too long, and results were unpredictable.

With technological advancements in lens materials and manufacturing, the modern reverse geometry orthokeratology lens was introduced in the late 1980's¹⁰. In 1994, the United States FDA granted the first ever daily wear approval for Ortho-K and in June 2002, the FDA granted approval for overnight wear Ortho-K.

There is no specific age restriction for Ortho-K. Children as young as five have successfully and safely received Ortho-K corneal reshaping.

Ortho-K is scientifically proven to reduce or halt the progression of myopia, a process called myopia control and is one of the most popular methods of myopia control vision correction in children and teenagers ¹¹⋅¹².

No. If you stop wearing the Ortho-K lenses, your vision will return to its original state within one to four weeks.

Any contact lens has the potential to cause an infection in your eyes. Research shows the rate of infection using Ortho-K lenses is less than half compared to overnight wear of extended wear soft contact lenses¹³.

Using correct hygiene and lens care regimes as well as replacing the lenses every one to two years significantly reduces the risk of Ortho-K related complications¹³.

A poorly fitted Ortho-K lens can result in corneal staining, which comprises the outer layer of the cornea, and increases the risk for infection. Rather than fit Ortho-K lenses through trial and error using a diagnostic lens from a trial case, EyeSpace software calculates and optimises the fit of each Forge Ortho-K lens to the topographical shape of the cornea.

Forge Ortho-K contact lenses are manufactured from hyper-Dk rigid gas permeable (RGP) plastics. The same lens materials are used for day wear corneal RGP lenses, however, it is the back surface geometry that differs.

Rather than a lens geometry that aligns to the surface of the cornea, an Ortho-K lens has a centre zone that provides the template curvature that the cornea is to be reshaped to, followed a peripheral zone that creates a tear channel, and fits the shape of the peripheral cornea.

Another key feature is the diameter of a lens. A Day wear RGP lens diameter is typically 8.00 mm to 10.00 mm, whereas an Ortho-K lens diameter is typically 10.00 mm to 12.00mm, and soft lenses diameters are 14.00 mm to 15.00mm.

Yes, while the back surface of the lens reshapes your eye, the front surface of the lens provides clear optics for your vision. One of the great features of Ortho-K is your vision will always be clear whether the lenses are in or out of the eye.

That means if you get up at night you will still be able to see. We do not recommend wearing your Ortho-K lenses during the day as this may compromise corneal health and vision over time.

During the initial period of therapy, you will need to wear your lenses every night to ensure clear vision during the day.

As the correction stabilises, some people with low prescriptions may still get great daytime vision by wearing the lenses only every second night. However, this is not guaranteed. Patients requiring higher prescription correction with Ortho-K will most likely need to wear the lenses every night for optimum vision.

Most people will notice a slight deterioration in the quality of their vision the next day due to the cornea slowly changing back to its original shape. Restarting the Ortho-K therapy the next night will restore your vision within a day or two.

Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of therapy. Usually, after the first night of wear, 50% of the required correction is achieved. Optimum, stable vision for most will require between 10-14 days of treatment depending on the prescription.

The recommendation is to replace your Ortho-K lenses every one to two years depending on their condition. Timely replacement of the lenses maximises the quality of the Ortho-K reshaping, as wear and tear will compromise its effect over time

Regular replacement decreases the chance of infection or inflammatory events from a scratched or dirty lens. You should bring your Forge Ortho-K lenses to every appointment to allow your optometrist to check their condition under the microscope.

The cost of Ortho-K vision correction is much less than the cost of laser vision correction. Ortho-K is completely reversible and does not have the potential to worsen your dry eyes to the same extent as laser correction. Also, as patients reach their mid-forties and start needing help for their near vision, Ortho-K therapy can be modified to give clear vision at all distances without a pair of glasses, unlike a one-off laser procedure.

The myopia control effect will last as long as you use your Ortho-K lenses. There is no research or anecdotal reports of patients 'rebounding' after ceasing Ortho-K contact lenses. It's expected that patients who start Ortho-K contact lens wear for myopia control continue to use these until their early twenties when myopia tends to stabilise.

The decision to stop Ortho-K should be made with your optometrist, and prescription and eye length should be closely monitored for possible regression. In most cases, patients are so happy with their Ortho-K lenses that they continue to wear them well into adulthood!

You will need purchase solutions to store and clean your lenses, as well as lubricating drops for lens insertion.

A full eye exam is required. The overall health of the eye, as well as vision and corneal shape, will be assessed to establish if your eyes are suitable.

¹LENSES THAT WORK WHEN YOU AREN'T WEARING THEM

Your custom-designed EyeSpace Forge Ortho-K contact lens reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. It uses the forces of the eyelid and tear fluid beneath the lens to reshape the top layers of the cornea¹.

For treatment of myopia, the lens produces a flatter central cornea, correcting nearsightedness by decreasing the power of the eye. For hyperopia and presbyopia, the design of the lens steepens the central cornea, correcting long-sightedness by increasing the power of the eye²⋅³⋅⁴⋅⁵⋅⁶.

IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT

Improvements in vision can usually be seen the next day, with the procedure stabilising after a week. With high myopia over -6.00D, astigmatism and hyperopia the process can take two to four weeks to achieve full correction. Ortho-K does not permanently change the shape of the eye. Your eyes' shape will revert back to their original state within one to four weeks if you stop wearing the lenses⁷.

COMFORT AND SAFETY

Forge Ortho-K lenses are surprisingly comfortable to wear. Most people comment that they forget they have lenses in after the first week of wear. Similar to disposable soft contact lenses, the main adverse event associated with Ortho-K corneal reshaping therapy is an infection of the cornea, microbial keratitis⁸. With proper care and maintenance, the risk of inflammation and bacterial infections due to poor hygiene can be minimised.

Ortho-K holds particular appeal for certain groups of people:

• People who play sports - especially contact sports and all types of water sports: You can enjoy the freedom of playing sports without worrying about your glasses getting damaged or your contact lenses falling out. Ortho-K lenses are only worn at night while you sleep, leaving you with perfect vision during the day on the sports field, court or in the swimming pool.
• People working in dusty or dirty environments: Dusty or dirty environments can play havoc with contact lenses and glasses. If you're a tradesman who needs to squeeze into tight spaces or work in dusty work conditions, Forge Ortho-K lenses will allow you to see clearly and get on with the job.
• People with dry eyes or allergies: Forge Ortho-K lenses are great if you suffer from allergies or dry eyes and work long hours on the computer or in air-conditioned environments.
• People who want freedom from their glasses or day wear contact lenses
• Children with progressive myopia

Forge Ortho-K lenses are an excellent option for children with progressive myopia (short-sightedness). Orthokeratology is scientifically proven to dramatically slow, or potentially halt the progression of myopia and can have a positive impact on the long-term health of your child's eye. Wearing Forge Ortho-K lenses only at night gives kids the freedom to run around, play sports and wear fashion sunglasses during the day without worrying about their glasses or contact lenses in the eye.

In short, Ortho-K works best for people who don't want to or are unable to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day but don't mind wearing lenses while they sleep. People with healthy corneas who are unsuitable for laser surgery (LASIK) can still qualify for Ortho-K.

Children and teenagers especially benefit from the freedom to play sport and wear fashion sunglasses. Parents love the fact that there is no risk of kids losing their contact lenses or spectacles. Ortho-K is an excellent option for those with youth-onset myopia due to the additional benefits of being able to slow and even halt the progression of myopia. Contact Griebenow Eyecare and book an appointment to see if you qualify for Orthokeratology treatment.

The orthokeratology procedure is performed with the use of a medical instrument called a corneal topographer. The topographer measures the shape or topography of your cornea, enabling your eye care practitioner to calculate and create a computerised simulation of the Forge Ortho-K lens. Corneal topography is used at each appointment to map the shape of the eye, allowing the measurement of the change in optical power of the cornea.

At your initial appointment, your eye care provider will take a range of measurements from each eye. This data is imported into simulation software called EyeSpace, which is then used to design your Forge Ortho-K lenses.

Contact lens practitioners internationally use EyeSpace to customise each lens to your prescription and individual eye shape to micron accuracy. Your eye care practitioner will calculate, design and simulate your lens without the need for time-consuming and uncomfortable trial fitting prior to ordering and manufacture of the lens. 

This simulation process means that more complex prescriptions can be treated with the Forge Ortho-K lenses and provides the greatest chance of success with less fitting appointments and fewer lens changes.

PREPARATION FOR CONTACT LENS WEAR

If you have never worn contact lenses, it can be helpful to practice holding your eyelids, touching your eyes, and applying eye drops prior to your appointment.

Wash your hands thoroughly prior to practising these techniques:

Hold the top and bottom eyelids and lashes wide open with the middle finger of each hand. Look up and using the index finger on your hand that is holding your bottom eyelid and lashes, gently touch the white part of your eye.

Practice inserting lubricating eye drops, holding your eye open as the drop goes in. When the drop touches the eye, try not to blink. It will be hard not to blink at first, however, with time you will desensitise to the feeling.

DELIVERY AND LENS INSTRUCTION APPOINTMENT

At the lens delivery appointment, your optometrist will examine the fit and optics of the lens on the eye. You will then be taught how to insert, remove, clean and care for your lenses.

You will usually start Ortho-K wear the night of your delivery and lens instruction appointment. Insert your lenses 10 to 15 minutes before going to bed to allow time for the lens to settle. You will notice a foreign body sensation with the lens on your eye when you blink and with your eyes open. This will improve with time.

FIRST MORNING REVIEW

Your vision may be clearer; about 50% of the total refractive change occurs after just one night of lens wear.

Your eyes may be sensitive when you wake up. Take the lenses out, following the provided removal instructions, and the symptoms should improve. You may still need to use your glasses to drive to your appointment, although they may not work. If possible we recommend organising someone to drive you to this appointment.

Your optometrist will review your insertion and removal techniques and assess your vision changes and eye health. Corneal topography will determine how well the Forge orthokeratology lens is reshaping your eye. If your vision fluctuates this can be from an incorrect insertion technique or an air bubble at insertion the night before, so remember to mention this to your Optometrist.

The next appointment will usually be booked within one to two weeks. Most patients will need some vision correction during the first week. Old glasses with lower prescriptions can be helpful. Your optometrist can also provide loan spectacles or soft contact lenses to use in the transitional phase of the Ortho-K corneal reshaping.

ONE WEEK REVIEW

Many patients will find their vision is nearly 100%.

Your optometrist will measure the reshaping of your cornea, change in your unaided vision and check your eye health.

High prescriptions or astigmatism may take two to four weeks to get to the full correction level. If the treatment is going to plan, your next appointment is booked for one month later. If the results indicate the lenses could be improved, the parameters of you Forge Ortho-K lenses will be fine-tuned in EyeSpace and a new set of lenses will be ordered.

In order to tailor the reshaping of your cornea modified lenses are covered under warranty on up to two occasions within the first four months.

ONGOING FOLLOW UP

Follow up appointments will be scheduled after three months, then six months.

If you experience any problems, please contact your optometrist to arrange another appointment.

Follow up appointments are vital to the monitoring and success of your corneal reshaping. After the initial 12 months, we recommend yearly follow up to ensure your lenses are safe to continue wearing, you are seeing well, and your eye health is uncompromised.

Forge Ortho-K lenses can last much longer than soft lenses. It is recommended to replace your lenses every one to two years to ensure they work optimally and do not cause any adverse health effects.

What to expect from Orthokeratology

TREATMENT TIME

The treatment time to achieve clear and stable vision can range from between one to four weeks, depending on the individual. Although the lenses may feel slightly uncomfortable at first, this feeling decreases with time. With the eyes closed, most patients cannot feel their lenses.

While your vision is in the process of being corrected, you may need to wear temporary spectacles or disposable contact lenses.

FOLLOW-UPS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

Regular follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor your treatment. It is crucial to attend these and to diligently follow instructions provided by your optometrist to ensure your eyes remain healthy. Lens complications are minimized when instructions are followed.

Complications include :

• Lens binding on awakening (this can easily and safely be dislodged following the provided instructions).
• Corneal Staining. Due to abrasion of the surface of the eye.
• Solution sensitivity.
• Fluctuating vision (if lenses have not centered properly or bubbles have been trapped under the lens).
• Microbial Keratitis. Infection of the cornea. Requires intensive treatment with topical antibiotics.
• Some patients, especially those with large pupils, notice halos and flare during the evening when using Ortho-K lenses. The halos are caused by the pupil enlarging in low light and allowing light rays from outside the Ortho-K treatment zone to enter the eye. This improves over the first one to two months as the Ortho-K effect stabilises. When designing lenses to control myopia, this phenomenon is normal and part of the treatment process.

Using pupil constricting eye drops can also improve the symptoms. Our next generation Forge Ortho-K lens designs have wider treatment zones than ever before to improve night vision.

WHEN TREATMENT IS COMPLETE

When your treatment is complete, you need to wear the final pair of Forge Ortho-K lenses every night to maintain your vision. Some patients with low prescriptions are even able to skip nights, and their vision will be maintained for 40 hours.

Regular aftercare visits are necessary to ensure the ongoing health of your eyes.