I am often asked if there is a non-surgical alternative to obtaining 20/20 vision. Some people think vision therapy would aid in reducing myopia (poor distance vision), but instances of that happening are rare.
However, there is a fantastic treatment called Orthokertology (Ortho-K for short) that eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses in the daytime. It’s easy and doesn’t come with the risks involved with surgical methods. And right now, during the months of June and July of 2016, we are offering the treatment at a significantly reduced rate–patients can save up to $500.00 dollars off the usual fees.
How does it work?
A pair of therapeutic contact lenses are prescribed by a licensed optometrist such as myself.
You put the contact lenses in before going to bed. Overnight, the specially designed lenses gently reshape the cornea of your eye while you sleep.
When you wake up, you take out the contact lenses and enjoy a day of 20/20 vision without wearing glasses or contact lenses.
It sounds very easy and too good to be true, right?
I’ll be honest, it’s not quite that easy, but it’s not far off.
In my office an interested patient will have a thorough exam. If he or she is a candidate for Ortho-K, I take the necessary measurements and a pair of therapeutic lenses are ordered. The patient returns for a lesson on insertion, removal, and care. They decide when they will wear their lenses for the first night and return the next day for another vision check. Sometimes we are lucky and the first set of lenses provide the patient with lens-free 20/20 day-vision right away. Sometimes we may have to tweak the measurements and order a second pair of lenses.
The added benefit of Ortho-K therapeutic lens therapy is myopia control: that is, stalling or halting the progression of poor distance vision. A large percentage of my patients enter the Ortho-K program for this very reason and the results are positive.
If Ortho-K interests you, don’t hesitate to call either of my offices for more information.
Remember, only a thorough vision examination will tell me if you are a candidate.
[NOTE: Ortho-K and Development Vision Therapy are two different treatments. Ortho-K involves the use of overnight lenses to achieve 20/20 vision. Vision Therapy involves in-office visits to improve deficient visual skills such as tracking and eye alignment. If you are interested in Vision Therapy, please check my posts or the main page for more information.]