If your child’s glasses prescription seems to get stronger every year, there may be another option besides simply increasing the prescription.
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. In the morning, the lenses are removed, allowing many children to see clearly throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
But Ortho-K offers more than daytime freedom from glasses. It is also one of the most established treatments used to help slow the progression of childhood myopia.
What Is Ortho-K?
Ortho-K lenses are custom-designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are worn during sleep.
While your child sleeps, the lenses gently change the way the front surface of the eye focuses light. After removing the lenses in the morning, many patients can see clearly throughout the day without additional vision correction.
The effect is temporary, which means the lenses need to be worn consistently at night to maintain clear daytime vision.
There is no surgery and no permanent alteration of the eye.
Why Is Ortho-K Used for Myopia Management?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, often progresses as children grow.
As the prescription becomes stronger, the eye commonly becomes longer from front to back. Higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and other eye conditions.
That is why our goal is not simply to help a child see clearly today.
We also want to slow how quickly their myopia progresses and better protect their vision for life.
Research has shown that Ortho-K can significantly reduce axial eye growth in many children compared with traditional single-vision glasses or contact lenses.
Is My Child a Good Candidate?
Ortho-K may be a good option for children who:
Have a prescription that continues to increase
Want freedom from glasses during the day
Participate in sports or other active hobbies
Have parents who are interested in slowing myopia progression
Every child's eyes are different, which is why a detailed evaluation is important before treatment begins.
What Happens During an Ortho-K Evaluation?
We evaluate your child's prescription and overall eye health and take detailed measurements of the shape of the cornea. These measurements allow us to design a customized lens specifically for your child's eyes.
We also monitor axial length, which measures the length of the eye from front to back. Tracking axial length helps us evaluate how the eye is growing and how effective the treatment is in controlling myopia progression.
Is Ortho-K Safe?
Ortho-K has been used successfully in children and adults for many years.
As with any contact lens, proper hygiene and follow-up care are extremely important. Children and parents should carefully follow instructions regarding hand washing, lens cleaning, disinfection, and replacement.
Regular follow-up appointments allow us to monitor vision, lens fit, and eye health.
How Quickly Does Ortho-K Work?
Many patients notice significant improvement in their vision within the first few nights of treatment.
The amount of time required to reach stable daytime vision varies depending on the prescription and individual response.
During the initial fitting process, your child's vision and lens fit are monitored closely so adjustments can be made when necessary.
Does My Child Have to Wear Ortho-K Forever?
Ortho-K works only while the treatment is maintained.
If your child stops wearing the lenses, the cornea gradually returns toward its original shape and the original nearsighted prescription returns.
For children undergoing myopia management, treatment is generally continued while the eyes are still growing and myopia remains at risk for progression.
Could Ortho-K Be Right for Your Child?
If your child's prescription keeps getting stronger, simply waiting for the next pair of glasses may not be the only option.
At Eye Care Associates of Bethany, we offer customized Ortho-K evaluations and myopia-management care designed around your child's eyes, lifestyle, and long-term visual health.
Schedule an Ortho-K Consultation
If you are wondering whether Ortho-K may be appropriate for your child, contact our office or schedule a consultation online.
We would be happy to evaluate your child's vision, measure their eyes, and discuss whether overnight vision correction is a good fit for your family.
