Ortho-K
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What is Ortho-K?
Ortho K offers a new dawn for vision correction, clear, comfortable vision without the need to wear contact lenses at all during the day. No more restrictions on how long you wear your lenses, no more irritation in dry, smoky environments or at the end of a long day. Simply by wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight, you can achieve perfect vision without contact lenses all day long. Ortho K provides a safe, non-permanent alternative to laser refractive surgery.
How does it work?
Ortho K works by placing a contact lens onto the eye only during sleep. While the contact lens is in the eye it gently flattens the front surface of the cornea (the transparent focussing window at the front of the eye). In the morning, the contact lens is removed from the eye. The cornea retains its new shape allowing the eye to focus clearly without the need for contact lenses or spectacles.
Your vision without glasses or contact lenses will improve rapidly within the first few days but your vision may vary during the course of the day. It may settle within three or four days but could take up to two weeks to get the full
Ortho K effect. During this transition period you will be issued with daily disposable contact lenses to correct your vision as required.
Who can have Ortho K?
At present Ortho K is suitable for people with moderate short sightedness and only a small amount of astigmatism. Please speak to one of our team to find out if your prescription is suitable for Ortho K.
Is Ortho K safe?
Ortho K has been shown to produce no permanent change to the eye. As with any contact lens, there is a very small risk of eye infections, some of which can have a permanent effect on vision.
In Ortho K, these risks are minimised by:
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Removing the contact lenses on waking (the eye enjoys a perfectly natural environment during the day)
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Following careful hygiene procedures
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Replacing the contact lenses regularly to ensure that they are always in optimum condition
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Attending for regular follow up as requested
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Using the latest ultra-oxygen permeable contact lens materials
Are Ortho-K lenses easy to wear?
Most people will have some sensation from the lenses when they are first inserted but this disappears once your eyes are closed for sleep. Your lenses need to be in perfect condition at all times so they are replaced on a planned six-monthly cycle.
Ortho-K at Aves Optometrists
First of all, we need to carry out an eye examination to check your prescription, then we can move onto Ortho K. The first stage of Ortho K is an assessment appointment. Your eyes, and particularly your corneas, will be carefully examined to ensure that they are healthy and the computerised corneal mapping will be carried out.
The optometrist will take a 3D computerised map of your cornea. The lenses are then designed and made according to the map and are therefore unique to your eyes. The lenses are made using the latest ultra-oxygen permeable materials to ensure that your closed eye gets all the oxygen it needs during sleep. Further maps are made at subsequent appointments to allow the optometrist to see precisely how the contact lenses are reshaping the cornea.
How many appointments will I need?
We would expect to see you about 4 to 5 times in the first two weeks. Once the full Ortho K effect has been achieved you will be regularly reviewed every 3 to 6 months.
How much does Ortho K cost?
Initial assessment visit, fitting and instruction (excludes eye examination) £50.00
First pair of lenses £120.00
(£170.00 if toric lens required)
Monthly payments (includes consultation fees and replacement lenses every six months) £38.00 (£42.00 including solutions)
Have a question? Call us on 01992 572302