Do you find it uncomfortable to wear contacts or glasses all day? Do you engage in physical activity as part of your employment, hobby, or sports? If so, you should consider a nonsurgical vision correction option called ortho-k.

The treatment will have you wear special lenses overnight, letting them gently reshape your cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. You will then enjoy clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts. But who is a good candidate for ortho-k?

What Is Ortho-k?

It is best to grasp what ortho-k is and how it functions before digging into who makes a good candidate. Orthokeratology involves a type of contact lens worn overnight. These are gas-permeable lenses, and they gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. When you remove them, your cornea retains the new shape the following day. You wake up with clear vision, sparing you from the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Mild to Moderate Nearsightedness or Astigmatism

Ortho-k is an excellent option for people with mild to moderate nearsightedness or astigmatism. Generally, people with nearsightedness up to -6.00 diopters and astigmatism up to -1.75 diopters are good candidates. Each person has different eyes; your eye doctor at Advanced Vision Care will thoroughly examine you to ascertain whether ortho-k suits you.

Active Lifestyle or Job

Ortho-k can be a fantastic choice if you have an active lifestyle or a job requiring you to be active. Unlike glasses or daytime contact lenses, ortho-k provides clear vision without needing corrective eyewear during the day. It lets you engage in any activity, sports, swimming, or otherwise, without worrying about your glasses or contacts.

Children and Teenagers

Ortho-k can be an excellent option for children and teenagers not yet ready for LASIK or other vision correction surgery. Children's eyes are still developing, and their prescriptions can change rapidly. Children as young as age six can wear ortho-k lenses without any problems. In kids and teenagers, they can halt myopia progression.

Difficulty Wearing Contact Lenses

Some people find it challenging to wear daytime contact lenses due to discomfort or dryness. You wear ortho-k lenses overnight so they do not cause discomfort or dryness during the day. This makes the lenses an excellent option for those with difficulty wearing daytime contact lenses.

Those Who Want to Avoid Surgery

Ortho-k can be an excellent alternative for a nonsurgical vision correction method. Unlike LASIK or other vision correction surgeries, ortho-k is noninvasive and does not require any surgery. This is a safer alternative for those who are not good surgical candidates or do not want surgery.

Conclusion

Ortho-k can be an excellent option for many people who meet specific criteria. It is especially so if you have mild to moderate nearsightedness or astigmatism, lead an active lifestyle, have difficulty wearing daytime contact lenses, or want to avoid surgery. 

To be sure, have a comprehensive eye exam and consult an eye doctor to determine if ortho-k is the best option for your unique eyes and lifestyle.

For more about ortho-k, visit Advanced Vision Care in Mansfield, Desoto, or Fort Worth, Texas. Call (817) 631-1900, (972) 223-5354, or (817) 370-2100 to schedule an appointment today.