Myopia, or near-sightedness, is very prevalent not only in the United States, but worldwide. Approximately 25-41% of people in the U.S. have myopia, and up to 70-90% in Asian countries! Myopia occurs when the eye is either too long, or the curvature of the front part of the eye is too strong, causing light to be focused in front of the retina. This leads to blur and difficulty with distance vision.
Corrective lenses or refractive surgical options can typically correct for this. But what about people who would like freedom from glasses during the day, but maybe are poor contact lens candidates who do not want to pursue surgical options? Is there an option for them? Or, what about athletes who need clear vision without glasses, or swimmers who can't wear contacts or glasses in the pool?! There is another option. Ortho-keratology, or Ortho-K, uses a rigid gas permeable lens, or hard contact lens, to gently flatten the cornea while you sleep. When you wake up and remove the lens, vision will be optimal for 12-15 hours OR longer without any correction! This device was approved by the FDA in 2002.
Ortho-K is also a great option for children with myopia, especially those who may benefit from myopia control. Myopia of greater than 6.00D usually indicates an increased axial length of the eye. This raises the chances of developing a retinal detachment, or other retinopathies, and even glaucoma. By slowing the progression of myopia, and the axial length of the eye, these risks can be decreased. Studies, including the SMART* study, have shown Ortho-K is a valid option for myopia control in children.
https://medcraveonline.com/AOVS/AOVS-02-00046.php
https://www.paragonvision.com/crt-lenses/
