Ortho-K Myopia Management

Myopia–also known as nearsightedness–is a very common eye condition affecting ⅓ of the U.S. population. When your child is nearsighted, objects are only seen clearly when they are viewed up-close. They will experience blurry vision when looking at objects that are further away. Unsurprisingly, children with myopia may experience worsening vision as they get older.

At Clarity Eyecare, our passionate medical team is wholly committed to helping our patients live the best and clearest lives possible. The key to myopia treatment is to diagnose it early on in childhood. By intervening early, we can slow down the advancement of your child’s myopia, effectively reducing long-term effects.

Myopia is considerably widespread, affecting about ⅓ of the U.S. population. Projections suggest that by 2050, 50% of the population will be diagnosed with this condition.

Myopia is associated with a heightened risk of various eye diseases, including:

• Retinal detachment
• Myopic macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts

By diagnosing and treating your child’s Myopia early, we can slow down the disease’s progression.

Orthokeratology, often referred to as Ortho-k, is an innovative, highly specialized vision correction technique that involves the use of custom-designed contact lenses. 

While contacts are typically worn during the daytime, Ortho-k requires your child to wear their special contacts overnight while they sleep. Why? Because they very gently and gradually reshape your child’s cornea to temporarily correct their vision for the next day without the need for glasses or traditional contact lenses. This is a fantastic alternative to glasses and can help your child’s vision until they can get LASIK as adults.

Step 1: Assess the Cornea

Our Chalmette eye doctor will first map out your child’s cornea and measure it. This process uses a specialized machine for optimal mapping, but since it doesn’t touch your child’s eyes, they won’t feel any pain or discomfort. 

Step 2: Create the Ortho-k Contact Lenses

Using the map and measurements we took, we will create your child’s unique, perfectly-fitted contact lenses. Ortho-k contact lenses tend to be more rigid and sturdy, but they will continue to allow oxygen to enter the eyes so they stay healthy. 

Step 3: Your Child Wears Their New Lenses

Your child should put on their contact lenses at bedtime. The lenses will flatten the center of the cornea, which will change how light is refracted. This results in clearer vision. When the lenses are removed the next morning, the cornea will remain flattened for the day, ensuring they see clearly without needing corrective eyewear. Just make sure your child wears their lenses every night. If they stop, their cornea will curve again and their blurry vision will return.