WELCOME TO THE ORTHO-K WORKSHOP!

WHAT IS ORTHO-K?

A method to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses

without having to undergo eye surgery Reversible

WHAT IS ORTHO-K? Specially designed hard

contact lenses worn during sleep

Gently reshapes the front surface of your eye (cornea) through your tear film pressure

Clear vision during the day with no need for glasses at least 95% of the time

WHY IS ORTHO-K NEEDED? Ortho-k lenses are prescribed for two

purposes:

1) To correct refractive errors mainly Nearsightednessbut also Astigmatism and Far-

sightedness In some cases, Ortho-K also is used to

correct Presbyopia

2) To slow the progression of childhood myopia

TYPES OF ORTHO-K LENSES One specific brand of Ortho-k lenses and

fitting technique: Bausch + Lomb's Vision Shaping Treatment (VST)

Ortho-k can be safely and successfully performed with other gas permeable (GP) lenses and corneal reshaping fitting techniques

Only highly "breathable" GP lenses that have been FDA approved for overnight wear should be used for Ortho-K

HOW LONG DOES THE ORTHO-K EFFECT LAST? You should be able to see acceptably well

without glasses or contact lenses for a day or two, sometimes longer

For best results, you should wear the Ortho-K lenses every night.

WHICH VISION PROBLEMS CAN ORTHO-K CORRECT?

Ortho-K is most often used to temporarily correct Nearsightedness (myopia)

Generally, Ortho-k can correct upwards of -6.00 diopters (D) of myopia

WHICH VISION PROBLEMS CAN ORTHO-K CORRECT? The type and amount of refractive error that

can be effectively managed with Ortho-K differ case-by-case

Your eye doctor will be able to give you more specific guidance after examining your eyes

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR ORTHO-K? Most people with low to

medium myopia (with or without mild astigmatism) are good candidates

Children and young adults who want to be glasses-free but are too young for LASIK

or are not good candidates

for refractive surgery for other reasons (ie. dry eyes)

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR ORTHO-K?

• Participant in contact sports or

• Those who work in dusty environments that can cause problems for regular contact lens wear

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OF ORTHO-K? The corneal reshaping effect is temporary

little risk is involved wear of the lenses can be discontinued anytime

But you will need to start wearing glasses or contacts again when your nearsightedness returns

• Ortho-K lenses are still a form of Contact Lens

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OF ORTHO-K?

• Remember Ortho-K are specially designed contact lenses

• So there can still be Rare complications such as infection, allergies to solutions, and dryness of the eyes

WHO FITS ORTHO-K LENSES? In the United States, optometrists perform

most Ortho-K lens fitting But ophthalmologists also perform ortho-k

fittings

In some cases, Ortho-K may be performed by a contact lens technician under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist

WHO FITS ORTHO-K LENSES? Ortho-K is a very specialized type of contact

lens fitting, and not all eye doctors who fit contact lenses also fit Ortho-k lenses

If Ortho-K interests you, seek the services of an eye doctor who specializes in fitting these lenses

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM ORTHO-K? Eye care practitioners usually aim for 20/20

vision after Ortho-k

but 20/40 vision (the legal minimum for driving in most of the United States) often is considered an acceptable outcome

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM ORTHO-K?

In the clinical study for FDA approval of one VST design, about 95 percent achieved 20/40 or better and 73 percent achieved 20/20 or better

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU BEGIN ORTHO-K

Mapping of the front surface of your eye (Corneal Topography)

Order custom Ortho-K Lens for fitting

Calculate and fine-tune to the best fitting Ortho-K lens to reach maximum vision correction (usually up to 3 pairs of lenses)

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MAXIMUM ORTHO-K EFFECT? Many factors Amount of nearsightedness Usually up to 2 weeks Individual response to gentle reshaping of

the front surface of the eye by tear film pressure

HOW MUCH DOES ORTHO-K COST? More time & expertise than fitting regular contact

lenses

Series of Office visits (usually up to 7)

Varies with degree of nearsightedness & astigmatism

Longer term consideration if using for Control of Nearsightedness

Ortho-k prices in the U.S. generally range from $1,000 to $2,000 (for both eyes) roughly half the cost of LASIK.

HOW MUCH DOES ORTHO-K COST? additional costs for replacement Ortho-

k lenses

lens care solutionscan total about $300 to $500 per year

• Normally, Ortho-K is not covered completely by vision care Insurance Plans

─ but a portion of the fees may be covered by some plans

CAN I HAVE LASIK AFTER ORTHO-K? Yes, it's possible to have LASIK after Ortho-k

desire for vision surgery to permanently correct your eyesight

• Unlike LASIK, Ortho-k is reversible

If you try reshaping lenses and later decide you want laser vision correction instead, you can do that

CAN I HAVE LASIK AFTER ORTHO-K?

Will have to discontinue wearing the lenses and wait a period of time before surgery (possibly several months) to allow your corneas to fully revert to their

previous shape

SOURCES Ortho-k and Corneal Refractive Therapy: Overnight Contacts to

Control Myopia. http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/orthok.htm