Orthokeratology is a technique developed to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, through the use of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. These lenses are worn regularly at night while the patient is sleeping, making the process easy to adapt to.
The procedure involves reshaping the cornea using a rigid contact lens with an inverse geometry until the cornea becomes more regular, thereby correcting refractive errors. After waking up, you remove the lenses and can go about your normal daily activities. It is effective when you achieve 20/20 vision during the day without any corrective lenses.
Since it is not a surgical procedure, it is completely reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, your refractive error will return to its original values. This may seem like a disadvantage, but in reality it is not, because unlike refractive surgery, there are no scars or corneal deformities.
Orthokeratology is a good alternative for those who cannot tolerate contact lenses, for those with dry eyes, or for those who play sports where wearing glasses or contact lenses is not an option. It can also be a valid solution for children, acting as a brake on the progression of myopia.
In my clinical experience, I have often chosen this technique to correct refractive errors in various patients.
I recall the case of a teenager who found that orthokeratology was the solution that allowed her to ride horses more comfortably. She was highly allergic to the dust, so she stopped wearing contact lenses, and glasses were not a viable option.
Another patient, an adult with dry eye syndrome, was also unable to wear contact lenses for an entire day. We chose this technique, and he was able to maintain good vision throughout the day without needing to wear contact lenses or glasses. These examples are just a small sample of what we, as optometry professionals, can do to improve visual comfort and health.
This technique carries few risks and is a very safe procedure. However, whether worn during the day or at night, all contact lenses require careful, professional monitoring. For this reason, it is very important to be monitored by a qualified professional who is certified to perform this type of procedure.
