Why OrthoK For My Child?
Parents and kids choose OrthoK for three reasons.
1. Orthok has shown significant benefit in slowing myopic progression!
2. Orthok gives kids a more active lifestyle without the concerns of glasses or contact lenses during the day!
3. Orthok provides kids a safe way to do water sports and be able to see!
Hyperopic and astigmatic children can also undergo OrthoK. This next area discusses the advantages of OrthoK for kids with myopic progression
What is Myopia (nearsighted)?
By definition, myopia is a visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it.
Why should we stop myopia progression?
Myopia is not just blur, myopia can lead to blindness. Besides the extreme distance blur patients with myopia experience, the more myopic a patient becomes the more the eyeball length increases. Eye length changes put a patient at risk for retinal detachments which at the least leads to a permanent visual field defect and at worst leads to blindness. In addition, the elongated eye can lead to additional retinal diseases and glaucoma.
What can I do to stop my child from getting more nearsighted?
There is a lot of research currently being performed in this area. Reducing near activities, outdoor play, proper nutrition are lifestyle changes which may help reduce a child's increase in nearsightedness. In addition, Orthokeratology and atropine drop use are showing the best results in slowing or stopping the progression of myopia.
How does Orthokeratology slow or stop myopia progression?
Current research shows optical defocus in the periphery is the reason myopia is increasing. Because OrthoK refocuses both the central and peripheral light rays on the retina (which is not accomplished through daily glasses and contact lens wear) there is less encouragement for the eyeball length to continue to grow which reduces the risk of increased myopia.
Are there other advantages of Orthokeratology?
Because OrthoK lenses are only worn at night and corrects a patient's prescription while sleeping, a patient is able to achieve clear daytime vision without having to wear glasses or traditional contact lenses. This is an advantage for all patients, but especially active patients, athletes, and patients active with water sports.
Is there a certain age a child should be to perform Orthokeratology?
There are no age restrictions for Orthokeratology. If a child is becoming more nearsighted, the earlier Orthok is started the better.
Parents and kids choose OrthoK for three reasons.
1. Orthok has shown significant benefit in slowing myopic progression!
2. Orthok gives kids a more active lifestyle without the concerns of glasses or contact lenses during the day!
3. Orthok provides kids a safe way to do water sports and be able to see!
Hyperopic and astigmatic children can also undergo OrthoK. This next area discusses the advantages of OrthoK for kids with myopic progression
What is Myopia (nearsighted)?
By definition, myopia is a visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it.
Why should we stop myopia progression?
Myopia is not just blur, myopia can lead to blindness. Besides the extreme distance blur patients with myopia experience, the more myopic a patient becomes the more the eyeball length increases. Eye length changes put a patient at risk for retinal detachments which at the least leads to a permanent visual field defect and at worst leads to blindness. In addition, the elongated eye can lead to additional retinal diseases and glaucoma.
What can I do to stop my child from getting more nearsighted?
There is a lot of research currently being performed in this area. Reducing near activities, outdoor play, proper nutrition are lifestyle changes which may help reduce a child's increase in nearsightedness. In addition, Orthokeratology and atropine drop use are showing the best results in slowing or stopping the progression of myopia.
How does Orthokeratology slow or stop myopia progression?
Current research shows optical defocus in the periphery is the reason myopia is increasing. Because OrthoK refocuses both the central and peripheral light rays on the retina (which is not accomplished through daily glasses and contact lens wear) there is less encouragement for the eyeball length to continue to grow which reduces the risk of increased myopia.
Are there other advantages of Orthokeratology?
Because OrthoK lenses are only worn at night and corrects a patient's prescription while sleeping, a patient is able to achieve clear daytime vision without having to wear glasses or traditional contact lenses. This is an advantage for all patients, but especially active patients, athletes, and patients active with water sports.
Is there a certain age a child should be to perform Orthokeratology?
There are no age restrictions for Orthokeratology. If a child is becoming more nearsighted, the earlier Orthok is started the better.