Daytime Use of Ortho K Lenses is Not Advised - Here's Why
Ortho K lenses are popular among athletes and individuals with active lifestyles who may find glasses or traditional contact lenses inconvenient or uncomfortable. They are also an excellent option for children and teenagers who may not be ready for LASIK surgery or are not good candidates for other types of vision correction.
As always, you should follow your doctor’s treatment plan, but in just about all cases, You should NOT wear Ortho K lenses during the day.
Daily use is not how orthokeratology lenses are designed to work.
An ortho k lens works at night by reshaping your cornea while you are not using your eyes. Wearing them during the day can cause discomfort, dryness, and could even cause damage to your eyes.
Ortho K lenses, also known as overnight lenses or corneal reshaping lenses, are designed to be worn while you sleep. They work by gently reshaping the cornea - which is the clear front surface of the eye - to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Note that an ortho k lens differs greatly from a typical contact lens which is used to correct your vision while you're wearing the lens. Ortho k treatment is a vision shaping treatment. The overnight lens reshapes the cornea temporarily to provide improved vision during the day - when you're not actually wearing the lens.
Problems With Wearing Ortho K Lenses During the Day
Potential Eye Irritations May Result
Ortho K lenses are made of a special gas-permeable material that allows oxygen to reach the cornea. However, when you wear them during the day, your eyes are constantly exposed to the air, which can cause the lenses to dry out and become uncomfortable. Moreover, wearing Ortho K lenses during the day can interfere with your natural tear film, leading to dry eyes and other eye problems.
Potentially a Higher Risk of Infection
In addition, doing so can increase your risk of eye infections. That is because the lenses can trap bacteria and other microorganisms against your cornea, leading to infections and other complications.
Wearing Your Ortho K Night Lens During the Day Can Result in Many Different Types of Complications
Types of Ortho K Lenses
It is important to consult with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine which type of orthokeratology lenses are best suited for your specific needs and vision prescription. These are the options you can choose from:
- Standard Ortho-K lenses: The most commonly used type of Ortho-K lenses, and are designed to correct mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.
- Toric Ortho-K lenses: Meant for correcting higher levels of astigmatism in addition to myopia. It uses a unique design that allows the lenses to gently reshape the cornea and correct the irregular curvature that causes astigmatism.
- Multifocal Ortho-K lenses: Intended to correct both near and distance vision in patients with presbyopia, a condition affecting the ability to focus on near objects.
- Custom Ortho-K lenses: A specialty contact lens designed using advanced digital imaging technology to create a precise map of the cornea and are customized for each individual's unique eye condition.
- Hybrid Ortho-K lenses: Combine a gas-permeable center with a soft contact lens skirt to provide the benefits of Ortho-K lenses with the comfort of soft contact lenses.
- Scleral Ortho-K lenses: These lenses are designed to vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, which is the white part of the eye. It can correct higher levels of refractive error and is a good option for Ortho K patients with irregular corneas or other eye conditions that make traditional lenses less effective.
Benefits of Ortho K Lenses
Improved Vision
Ortho K lenses can help improve vision for people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The lenses work by reshaping the cornea to correct any refractive errors, which can lead to clear vision during the day.
Cuts Out the Need for Glasses or Contacts
One of the main benefits of an orthokeratology lens is that it can eliminate the need for glasses or contacts during the day. That can be especially advantageous for people who are active or participate in sports, as they don't have to worry about their glasses or contacts falling out or getting in the way. If you've ever had to deal with the hassle of trying to find your daytime contact lens after it has fallen out while playing sports, you understand how frustrating this can be.
Non-Invasive
Unlike LASIK (laser eye surgery), Ortho K lenses are non-invasive and don't require any incisions or cutting. That makes them a safer and less risky option for people hesitant to undergo surgery.
Reversible
Another major attraction of Ortho K glasses is that they’re reversible. So, if you decide that you no longer want to wear the lenses, you can simply stop wearing them and your cornea will return to its original shape.
Suitable for Children and Younger Adults
Ortho K lenses are an excellent option for nearsighted children, as it provides myopia control. That can be particularly important for little ones, as myopia can lead to more serious eye problems later in life.
Orthokeratology corrective lenses are also a better option for younger people who aren't eligible for LASIK surgery. Many surgeons recommend that people don't undergo this surgery until they're done growing - and most are advised to wait to have the surgery until they are in their 20s or 30s.
Tips for Caring for Your Eyes During Ortho-K Treatment
Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) treatment requires careful eye care to ensure the lenses are properly fitted and to minimize the risk of eye infections or other complications. Here are some tips for caring for your eyes during Ortho-K treatment:
- Wash your hands before handling your lenses: Before you touch your lenses, make sure that your hands are clean. Make sure to use antibacterial soap when washing your hands. This helps to minimize the risk of transferring bacteria or other contaminants to your lenses or eyes.
- Clean your lenses as directed: Follow your optometrist or ophthalmologist's instructions for cleaning your Ortho-K lenses. Use only the recommended cleaning solutions and follow the recommended schedule for lens replacement.
- Store your lenses properly: Store your Ortho-K lenses in the appropriate storage case and replace the case regularly to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Avoid wearing your lenses for longer than recommended: Do not wear your Ortho-K lenses for longer than the recommended wear time, as it can increase the risk of complications such as corneal abrasions or infections.
- Protect your eyes from the sun: Wear sunglasses or a hat to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can damage your eyes and increase the risk of complications during Ortho-K treatment.
- Attend regular follow-up appointments: Being checked on by your optometrist or ophthalmologist will ensure that your lenses are properly fitted. They’ll also monitor your eye health during treatment.
- Report any problems or symptoms: If you experience any eye redness, pain, sensitivity to light, or other symptoms, contact your eye doctor right away.
Getting Started with Orthokeratology Night Lenses:
Set up a Comprehensive Eye Exam
At Pressvision, we offer comprehensive eye care services to residents of northern New Jersey and the entire New York metro area. If you're interest in learning more about how an Ortho K contact lens can help you, give us a call to set up an eye exam. Dr. Knapp will do a thorough evaluation of your overall eye health and will be able to determine if vision correction with Orthokeratology would be right for you.
