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Wake up to Clear Vision with Ortho-K! Now available in Hampshire and Surrey
Posted: 20/08/2024
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K as it is commonly called, can seem like magic to short-sighted (myopic) people who are used to waking up to a world of blur.
The lenses are worn overnight and they gently reshape the front surface of the eye whilst you sleep. On waking, you will see clearly through the lenses – but when you simply take the lenses off, hey presto – you can still see clearly! Clear vision all day without needing glasses or contact lenses and suitable for short-sighted adults and children alike.
Ortho-K has been used in the UK for over 20 years but has been used in other parts of the world since the 1960’s. More recently there has been a surge in uptake and interest because studies have shown that not only does Ortho-K offer the convenience of overnight vision correction, but there is also an excellent myopia management benefit as well: most children wearing Ortho-K lenses have a slowing or cessation in the progression of their myopia, comparable with all other forms of spectacle and contact lens treatments. Our next Ortho-K blog will explore this in more detail.
Another reason for choosing Ortho-K over other treatment options is the convenience of the lenses never leaving the house meaning there can be complete parental oversight – no worries of lost lenses at school! Swimming in contact lenses carries a risk of serious eye infection so Ortho-K is ideal in this situation as no lens will be in the eyes in the daytime! This is also a bonus for other water sports such as surfing or waterskiing – it is not just pool water that carries pathogens.
We are all using computer screens and phones for many hours a day – children and adults alike. Adding TV into the daily mix means increases these hours further. Contact lenses can dry out with screen use due to reduced blinking, and air conditioning can make this worse. Ortho-K removes the contact lens factor from this, which can be all that is needed to improve comfortable screen viewing and swapping from standard contact lens wear to Ortho-K only takes a week or two for complete freedom from daytime contact lens use!
For those who have considered laser eye surgery but decided against it, Ortho-K can be the ideal reversible alternative –the eye will revert to its ‘normal’ state around a week after stopping lens wear. However, with continuing wear, just like with laser, you will wake up able to see without glasses every day!
If you would like to be fitted for Ortho-K lenses, the process is very straightforward. Specialist measurements are taken, and the lab custom precision make each lens individually. Learning to handle the lenses is the next easy step and then the lenses are then taken home for the first exciting night! A check-up is required the next morning followed by another a week later. New lenses are supplied 6 monthly at the regular biannual appointments.
Ortho-K is available at Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care in Hampshire at our Winchester branch and from summer 2024 at Purley in Surrey. You are very welcome to bring your prescription from another opticians, as long as it is less than a year old (6 months for children). If you would just like more information or advice, you can email us at winchester@rawlingsopticians.co.uk to check whether your short-sighted prescription falls into the suitable range and we can then book you in for an appointment.
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