Orthokeratology Optometrist Newcastle
Orthokeratology, or "Ortho-K", involves the wearing of special contact lenses overnight during sleep to gently mould the shape of the cornea, in order to see clearly without contact lenses or spectacles during the day. The contact lenses are a special, custom-made rigid gas permeable (RGP) design. Orthokeratology has only been available in Newcastle relatively recently.
Ortho-K offers a great lifestyle alternative for myopic (short-sighted) people who dislike wearing glasses, play sports, swimming or surfing, work in dusty environments, or suffer from mild dry eye with soft lens wear in air-conditioned or dry environments.
Ortho-K lenses use fluid surface tension to gently reshape the cornea to improve vision in a similar way an orthodontist uses dental braces to straighten teeth. The main difference is that tooth position tends to be permanent, whereas Ortho-K is non-invasive and completely reversible, as the cornea is highly elastic and always returns to its original shape, so lenses are worn on an ongoing basis (typically every night).
Ortho-K has several advantages over laser refractive surgery (LASIK). In LASIK surgery, once the laser has excised (cut away) the layers of your cornea, the laser cuts cannot be "undone", but orthokeratology is a fully reversible procedure due to the eye's natural elastic properties. As well, orthokeratology is more appropriate for people whose eyes are still changing (children, teens and young adults) since it been shown to slow the progression of myopia (short-sightedness). Lastly, orthokeratology is much more affordable than laser surgery.
Orthokeratology is a precise science where tiny changes can affect the final result, so the process of being fitted begins with a comprehensive eye examination, including scanning of eye curvatures (corneal topography). At Marketown Optical / Willson Optometrists, we are one of only two optometrists in Newcastle to use the Medmont E300 Topographer, probably the most accurate model on the market today. Very few optometrists in Newcastle have the equipment and expertise to offer orthokeratology, but it is now available at Marketown Optical / Willson Optometrists, Newcastle West.
We are currently treating myopia (short-sightedness) of up to 3.50 dioptres with orthokeratology, but in the future as newer technology becomes available to us we aim to treat higher amounts of myopia, astigmatism, and even hyperopia (long-sightedness).
