Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common vision problem affecting millions of people, especially children. Myopia is a condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry. This happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distant objects to appear out of focus.
If you’re worried about your child’s increasing myopia, orthokeratology might be the solution you’re looking for. Learn about this innovative treatment option and how it helps slow myopia progression in children and young adults.
What is orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is a non-surgical treatment that involves wearing specially designed gas permeable contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea. By gently reshaping the front surface of the eye while your child sleeps, ortho-k corrects their vision so that they can see clearly during the day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. The effects are temporary, so the lenses need to be worn regularly to maintain clear vision. Along with offering clear daytime vision, studies have shown that these lenses may also help slow down the progression of myopia in children and young adults.
What the research says
Numerous studies have shown that ortho-k can be effective in slowing myopia progression in children and adolescents. Here’s what the research shows:
- Significant reduction: Studies have found that ortho-k can reduce the progression of myopia by 40% to 60% compared to traditional glasses or daytime contact lenses.
- Control of axial length: Ortho-k not only corrects vision but also helps in controlling the axial length growth of the eye, which is a key factor in myopia progression.
- Long-term benefits: Consistent use of ortho-k lenses can lead to long-term benefits in managing myopia, reducing the risk of severe myopia and associated complications later in life.
Is ortho-k right for your child?
While ortho-k is effective, it’s important to determine if it’s the right solution for your child. We typically recommend ortho-k for children and teenagers with progressive myopia, or myopia that gets worse over time. Children with progressive myopia are more likely to develop eye health problems later in life such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Omaha Primary EyeCare offers myopia management in Elkhorn to control the progression of myopia, lowering the risk of these conditions in the future.
The best way to find out if your child is a good candidate for ortho-k is to schedule a pediatric eye exam with our team. During your appointment, we’ll evaluate your child’s eyes and discuss their lifestyle and visual needs to determine if ortho-k is a suitable option for them. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about ortho-k and how we can help protect your child’s vision and long-term eye health.
