Whipple: Orthokeratology a non-surgical vision treatment
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By Destin D. Whipple, optometrist at Mesa Eye Care and Desert Family Eyes
I’m Dr. Destin and I love Orthokeratology (Ortho-K). Not only do I have a passion to provide Ortho-K to others, but I have also been blessed to wear these night lenses personally for about 20 years. But even though Ortho-K — also known as Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT — is not new, there are many who have still never heard of it. I hope to change this lack of awareness by sharing the basics that are important to know.
What is Orthokeratology?
Ortho-K is an exciting non-surgical vision treatment that uses specialty contact lenses to reshape the cornea — the front clear layer of the eye — while you sleep.
This provides clear vision without daytime contact lenses or glasses. And yes, no surgery.
I just put my night lenses in right before I go to sleep at night and remove them as soon as I get up in the morning. Viola! I have clear vision with them on and clear vision with them off.
I wear them every night to maintain the magic. This is why some orthokerotologists like myself will refer to these specialized lenses as eye retainers or corneal molds.
How can Ortho-K help you?
No surgery, no daytime contact lenses, no glasses. Ortho-K is FDA approved for any age.
Orthokeratology is one of the best ways with the least side effects to slow down the terrible progression of nearsightedness we are seeing across the world. In my clinical experience as an optometrist, I often see glasses prescriptions for young people getting worse each year. I’m so glad that we have good treatments to help slow this trend–a definite plus for Ortho-K.
Ortho-K can help you by providing clear vision without daytime contacts or glasses and slow the progression of nearsightedness.
Whether you are a child with a “runaway” glasses prescription or an adult interested in a non-surgical alternative to LASIK, Ortho-K may be a good option for your vision. If you would like more information about orthokeratology or wonder if you or your child is a good candidate for this treatment, go to aaomc.org/find to find a doctor near you and schedule a consultation.
