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UNION FAMILY EYE ASSOCIATES

Ortho-Keratology

WHAT WE OFFER

Ortho-Keratology

We at UFEA take pride in offering state-of-the-art vision care services such as orthokeratology or “Ortho-k” for short. Also referred to as Corneal Refractive Therapy or Gentle Vision Shaping System this revolutionary method is able to correct your eyes back to perfect vision by just wearing a reshaping contact lens during sleeping hours. At night, the contact lenses correct the curvature of your corneas so that in the morning you can remove the lenses and see perfectly throughout the day without wearing glasses. This is even better news for children dealing with myopia as studies have shown that Ortho-k can reduce the rate of this myopia from worsening.

 

 

Dedicated to your Good Health

Please call or text to (704) 821-5009 our team will ensure that you receive the best possible care.

 

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How Orthokeratology Works

The cornea, the clear dome shaped surface of your eyeball, is soft and malleable. It helps focus light toward the back of our eye and onto our retina.

If your cornea does not focus light properly this results in blurry vision which we diagnose either as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, or astigmatism or irregular curvature.

Much like a retainer helps to straighten your teeth, we custom design our retainer contact lenses to “straighten” out the curvature of your cornea while you sleep. This allows your eyes to focus light properly so that you get a crisp image without having to wear glasses or daytime contacts.

This innovative solution can also slow down the progression of myopia in children ultimately leaving them with a lower prescription for the rest of their lives.

Eye Doctor during eye exam

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Potential Candidates for Ortho-K

Ask us about our services for Ortho-K in Costa Mesa, CA and the surrounding areas. The best candidates for Orthok are:

  • Children with worsening myopia
  • Patients who are unable to wear daytime contact lenses due to allergies or dry eyes
  • Patients looking for an alternative to refractive surgery (LASIK)
  • Adults and kids active in sports where glasses get in the way
  • Adults and kids that surf or swim
  • Adults with jobs that are cumbersome to wear glasses or contacts
  • Patients who simply dislike wearing glasses or daytime contacts

 

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment with our Doctor call us on (704) 821-5009.

 

Book an Appointment

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What results can you expect from Ortho-K?
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The goal for Ortho-K is to correct your vision to 20/20 without eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day. In FDA trials of both CRT and VST lenses, more than 65% of patients were able to achieve 20/20 visual acuity after wearing the reshaping lenses overnight. More than 90% were able to see 20/40 or better the legal vision requirement for driving without glasses in most states.

Success rates for Ortho-K tend to be higher for mild prescriptions. Call our office to find out if your prescription is within the range that can be successfully treated with Ortho-K.

How long does Ortho-K take?
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Some people have comfort issues when attempting to wear gas-permeable contact lenses during the day. But since Ortho-K GP lenses are worn during sleep, comfort and lens awareness are generally not a problem.

What is the cost of orthokeratology?
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  • Ortho-k is a significantly longer process than a regular contact lens fitting. It requires a series of office visits and potentially multiple pairs of lenses. Also, GP lenses used for Ortho-K are more costly than most regular contact lenses. Therefore, fees for orthokeratology are higher than fees for regular contact lens fittings.
Why choose UFEA for Ortho-K?
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  • Our office uses state-of-the-art technology to measure the change in corneal curvature, along with the change in nearsightedness. Finally, we carefully select our patients undergoing this procedure, maximizing the likelihood of success. An honest assessment is the first step for obtaining desired treatment outcomes.
Is there a minimum age requirement for Orthokeratology?
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There is no lower age limit on the FDA approval for orthokeratology, which makes this treatment available for carefully selected children. The scientific literature supports contact lens treatment for some children as young as eight years of age. Any child undergoing Ortho-K must have the aptitude and responsibility to adhere to proper lens care and hygiene, and this requires a careful and honest assessment by both the parents and our eye doctor .Most often children age 8-10 are mature enough to consider orthokeratology but there are case where even younger children are offered this treatment option.

Is Ortho-K risky?
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No. The FDA has validated the safety and efficacy of Ortho-K. But like all forms of contact lens treatment, eye irritation is possible. Most cases are minor and resolve on their own if Ortho-K wear is stopped and there is appropriate professional care. Still, there are rare and isolated reports of serious eye infection with overnight corneal reshaping where improper lens care and hygiene were suspected. Our patients receive a complete review of the benefits, risks, and alternatives during their consultation so that it is possible for you to make an educated decision to undergo Ortho-K.

Can I set up a flexible spending account (FSA) for Ortho-K?
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Yes, provided that you have access to an FSA through your employer. An FSA allows you to allocate pre-tax dollars toward qualified healthcare expenses including Ortho-K.

Can I have LASIK after Ortho-K?
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Yes, it’s possible to have LASIK surgery after orthokeratology. But because ortho-k lenses reshape your cornea, you must stop wearing the lenses for a period of time (usually several months) so your eyes can return to their original shape and stabilize. Be sure to tell your LASIK surgeon that you’ve worn Ortho-K lenses, so they can advise you how long you should wait before having the surgery.