Orthokeratology

Offering Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) in Hong Kong

Optical 88 Eyecare Centre offers a range of eyecare solutions to help identify and treat common problems. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a technology for correcting refractive error by changing the shape of the cornea. It is a non-surgical treatment that requires wearing specially designed hyper-gas permeable contact lenses, it is proven to be effective in controlling children’s myopia progression^1,2.

Optical 88 Eyecare Centre provides Ortho-K to Hong Kong clients at our professional eyecare centres.

How does Ortho-K control myopia?

Wearing Ortho-K lenses overnight can reshape the cornea to temporarily reduce myopia and astigmatism and improve visual acuity. The reshaping effect of the cornea allows light entering the eyes to form “peripheral defocus”, delivering an effective way to slow myopic progression.Wearing these specially designed lenses overnight can reshape the cornea to temporarily reduce myopia and astigmatism and improve visual acuity. The reshaping effect of the cornea allows light entering the eyes to form “peripheral defocus”, delivering an effective way to slow myopic progression.

Is Ortho-K effective? Do we have to wear the lenses for a long time?

Ortho-K is a long-term visual treatment. The cornea reshaping effect is only temporal. If the wearer stops wearing the Ortho-K lenses, the cornea will return to its original shape. Therefore wearers should use Ortho-K lenses persistently and conduct regular checkups to maintain the desired effect of the treatment.
Clinical studies showed that wearing these lenses, together with good visual habits, are effective in slowing myopia progression.

Who is suitable for Ortho-K treatment?
• People aged six or above and able to handle contact lenses
• Youngsters affected by rapid myopia progression
• People with myopia below -5.0 diopters and/or astigmatism under -2.0 diopters. (People with higher power are still applicable but they may need to wear glasses during the day)
• People unwilling to either undergo refractive surgery (e.g. LASIK) or wear glasses or contact lens during the day

The effectiveness of Ortho-K treatment varies among individual. Some people may need to wear glasses during the day in order to achieve their best visual acuity.

Is it risky?

Ortho-K may have adverse effects. However, if you maintain regular checkups and strictly follow instructions given by professional optometrists, you can minimise the risk. You can stop the treatment any time you want and the cornea will return to its original shape within a few weeks and the refractive error will come back as well.

What are the pros and cons of Ortho-K?

Pros

Cons

Other services

Our team can provide a range of other services including glaucoma checks for adults and amblyopia checks for children.

Reference 1.Cho P, Cheung SW, Edwards M. The longitudinal orthokeratology research in children (LORIC) in Hong Kong: a pilot study on refractive changes and myopic control. Curr Eye Res 2005 Jan;30(1):71-80.

2. Kakita T, Hiraoka T, Oshika T. Influence of overnight orthokeratology on axial elongation in childhood myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011 Apr; 52(5):2170-4.