LASIK Vision Alternatives -- Cornea Reshaping Lenses!

An Aternative to Lasik Vision Corrective Vision Surgery

Lasik Vision Eye Surgery is a serious consideration that many people decide against doing due to the various risks. Many who forego the benefits of Lasiks frankly cannot get past the thought of having someone cut into their eyeballs and use a laser light to adjust the light refracting qualities of their corneas. If the idea of not wearing glasses however is intriguing, there is an alternative that seems to work for some people. Rather than undergoing laser surgery on the eye, it's possible to wear specially created contacts during the night while you sleep.

How does it work?

Unlike Lasik eye surgery, no direct physical changes from a laser or Vision implementation procedure is used. Rather the alternative is like a orthodontic appliance that's worn just at night. The appliance moves, or modified the cornea during sleep to allow for better eyesight during the day. Although Lasik Vision treatments are considered by many not be permanent, this alternative is definitely not a permanent correction.

Orthokeratology, or ortho-k is based on the premise that we can reshape the cornea while you sleep thereby providing better eyesight during the daylight waking hours. Reshaping the cornea with contact lenses to improve vision isn't new. Orthokeratology has been used by some eye doctors for decades though it doesn't have the body of evidence or approach the level of success found in Lasic eye surgery.

The FDA did however approve the use of overnight contacts in 2002 which increased the acceptance rate of this procedure. The government approved overnight contacts for a type of corneal reshaping called Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT).

This recent approval came about the same time as new manufacturing methods and lens designs were enabling orthokeratology to deliver a much higher success rate than previously established. This has resulted in new interest in ortho-k especially for those of us that aren't willing to accept any risk of eye surgery no matter how popular they have become. The performance of so-called "reverse geometry" or "return zone" designs have fueled new excitement about orthokeratology. Near-sightedness, far sightedness are caused by light refracting incorrectly for the eyeball to focus the images properly to be processed by the retina. This can be caused by the cornea and retina not being shaped for the best performance. It's like 2 pieces of equipment that although they work together, they're not matched accurately so the result is less than satisfactory performance. Usually, these problems are corrected with eyewear or contact lenses. The proponents of orthokeratology believe that the same or similar result can be achieved with nightly wearing of cornea reshaping appliances or more permanently with lasic surgery.

Orthokeratology lenses are a long term daily regiment. Clear vision is only obtained through the consistent nightly use of the cornea reshaping contacts. A 2-4 week aclimation period is typical before improved vision becomes apparent. After that, it's a nighly use of the special contacts that will provide a 12-20 hour good vision window.

Is Ortho-k a real option for me?

Understand that like any vision correction strategy, some are better suited for certain problems than others. Limited vision correction can be sucessfully adjusted with ortho-k. Myppoia is much more successfully corrected with cornea reshaping lenses than other difficulties like far sightedness. The worse your eyes are out of focus also will play a part in determining if ortho-k is right for you.

Orthokeratology can be used by people who don’t like wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day. Ortho-k can be used to eliminate the daily use of contacts and glasses in those environments where their use is simply not practical. This would include jobs where sweating on eyeglasses reduces their effectiveness or even dusty environments that cause problems for contact lenses.

Orthokeratology therapy has several distinct advantages:

• You can see well all day long. Most soft contact lenses are recommended for wear up to 12 hours, while people usually need their vision 16-18 hours a day
• No eye dryness or other discomfort usually caused by contact lenses during the day. Especially suited for people who suffer from dry eyes
• Eyecare regiment is during the night before bed instead of part of the start of the day daily routine

Fitting orthokeratology contact lenses is a specialized skill. It requires several doctor visits to assure accurate fitting. Ongoing care should also be considered as the contacts have a tendency to be uncomfortable to the user. If you need an alternative to contacts and eyeglasses but the thought of going under the knife for Lasik eye surgery, consider orthokeratology contacts.