Contact Lenses That Correct Nearsightedness

Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses is a necessary fact of life for many people, especially those affected by nearsightedness. And while corrective eyewear gets the job done, glasses can be a hassle at times and contacts must be kept clean at all times. Add to this the discomfort many contact lens wearers experiences, the way glasses can take away from your natural appearance, and the mere thought of going without corrective eyewear seems like a dream come true. 

Ortho-K contact lenses are a breakthrough technology that actually reverses nearsightedness while you sleep. This means no more having to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day! Read on as a Hackensack, NJ optometrist talks about Ortho-K lenses and how they work. 

What Causes Nearsightedness?

The parts of the eyes most responsible for delivering images to the brain include your cornea, lens, and retina. Your cornea directs light and images onto the lens, which then directs this information onto your retina. 

Normally, images sent by the cornea should land directly on the retina. However, when the corneal surface has imperfections or too much of a curve, images land in front of your retina. These conditions cause nearsightedness.  

What Are Ortho-K Lenses and How Do They Work?

Ortho-K contact lenses are based on a form of treatment known as orthokeratology. Also known as Ortho-K, this is a non-surgical procedure that reshapes the cornea using gas-permeable contact lenses. The lenses work by floating on top of the tear film on your eyes. In doing so, they can apply gentle, water-based pressure to the front of your cornea.

Amazingly, they’re designed to be worn overnight while you sleep. By morning, the cornea takes on a normal shape, allowing images to be directed onto the retina as they should be. In effect, corneal reflective lenses reverse nearsightedness, which means you can go without corrective eyewear during the day. The effects are temporary so the lenses need to be worn each night. 

What Conditions Do Ortho-K Lenses Treat?

• Treats mild to moderate nearsightedness
• Reduces the effects of astigmatism 
• Slows the progression of hardening of the eyes’ lenses, which can happen as a person ages
• Reduces the effects of farsightedness
• Slows the progression of nearsightedness in children

If you have more questions about Ortho-K contact lenses or wish to schedule a consultation, please feel free to call our Hackensack, NJ optometry office today!