Orthokeratology - or ortho-k for short - is a non-surgical procedure that uses specially-designed contact lenses to reshape the curvature of the eye. Performed here at First Eye Care, Ortho-K helps improve vision, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. This innovative technique gently reshapes your eye while you are sleeping. All you have to do is put the specially-fitted lenses in before you go to bed. By the time you wake up in the morning, you will have clear, sharp vision for all your waking hours! This treatment is safe, effective, and proven to work, making it one of the most popular treatments offered by your First Eye Care team.

Ortho-K can correct nearsightedness (including for high prescriptions), farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (blurred near vision). It has quickly become a popular alternative to LASIK surgery, as many are not good candidates for surgery or don’t want to risk it. Ortho-k is also referred to as corneal reshaping, so if you hear this term thrown around, just know it is the same procedure.

If you are considering ortho-k, the first step will be to schedule an appointment at First Eye Care and see if you are a good candidate. We will perform a series of tests to determine that your eyes are healthy, including the retina and outside of the eye. We will also need to ‘map’ your cornea, which is done using an instrument called a topographer. The topography of the eye will show your doctor exactly how your cornea is shaped, which is important information that we will use to design the cornea molds needed for ortho-k.

After this initial appointment, we will give you a call once your retainer lenses are in. When you pick them up, we will instruct you on how to insert, remove, and take care of them. Before you leave our office, one of our doctors will re-evaluate the fit to ensure everything looks good. The length of treatment will depend on a host of factors, including:

• Your initial prescription
• Corneal rigidity
• Tear quality and quantity
• Your overall expectations

We encourage patients to wear these specialty contacts every night in order to maintain their corrected vision. However, the number of nights you will need to wear them will depend on your cornea and vision. To learn more about ortho-k and how this procedure may be of benefit to you, please contact First Eye Care today. First Eye Care has three convenient locations in Hurst, Keller, and Roanoke.