If you know my absences, you would have probably, correctly, guessed that I was in Singapore on Monday. It was time for my 3-monthly eye check-up.
I’ve had myopia for a while now. I wore hard lenses, gas-permeable hard lenses, soft lenses, extended wear soft lenses then, when I was told my eyes were too dry to sustain them, I went back to glasses. Over the past couple of years, however, as age catches up and my eyesight lengthens, I started to hate wearing glasses. It seemed that every time I had them on, I had to take them off to see something up close. And every time I had them off, I misplaced them when I had to put them back on again to see something distant. I’m not a fan of eye surgery due to the quite high, imo, probability of side-effects, such as a worsening of night vision and seeing halos around objects of illumination. What to do?
In researching the problem, I stumbled across orthokeratology. Not many people have heard of it but I’m a huge fan, so I thought I’d tell you about it. Basically, the procedure involves reshaping the cornea so it gives good or very good vision. Because everybody’s eyes are different, the technology depends very much on extremely accurate measurements of your corneas being taken. Gas-permeable hard lenses are then specially made for you, according to those measurements and what you want to achieve. In my case, I have it tuned so my left eye is used mainly for close-up work and my right is used for distance. My friend, Maria, couldn’t cope with that split-fuction, but I don’t have a problem with it.
One question I had was about my eyes, which tend to the dry side. Having been kicked out of eligibility stakes before, what made anyone think I could wear lenses again now? The beauty of ortho-k lenses is that you wear them while you sleep. Pop them in an hour or so before you go to bed, sleep, get up, pop them out and you’re right for the day. No more dryness problem. In the six or so months that I’ve had my lenses I’ve got to the stage where I can “forget” to put them in one night a week and still retain very good vision for a total of two days. However, if you do decide to investigate this route, remember to ask your optometrist about night lenses in particular as not all ortho-k lenses are overnight-rated.
What I like about my ortho-k lenses is that they’re completely non-invasive. What I don’t like about them is having little lenses around that you’re always scared you’ll drop on the floor when it comes to taking them out, and the expense. My pair of lenses cost me SG$1,800, which includes twelve months of consultations/check-ups. If you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes will eventually degrade to their former performance (or lack thereof), although I imagine that would be an extremely frustrating time because you won’t be able to just slam those old spectacles back on and have good vision. The degradation, from what I gather from my own case, would happen over the space of a week or so. Still, it’s nice not having to lose pairs of glasses all over the place and at least I can now see those supermarket EFTPOS receipts that I’m supposed to sign.
Orthokeratology is a viable alternative to LASIK, but its daily maintenance is a definite overhead you have to take into account. If you’re okay with that, I’d recommend you research the topic further to see if it’s right for you. And talk to your optometrist.
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Hi!
I actually tried to contact you through your form, but the captcha image wasn’t showing up
Anyway, I was very interested in this post because I am currently switching away from ortho-k lenses to soft lenses. You mentioned that, in your case, the degradation from discontinued use of the ortho-k lens lasted about a week (and then your vision was back to normal?). May I ask what your prescription is, in diopters? I’ve been to a few appointments already to fit me for soft lenses but I’m worried my eyes might still be reverting back to their old, pre-ortho-k state. This information will help me a lot in determining the next step in my switch.
Thank you so much!
Kathy
Hi Kathy! I’ll check the contact form, thanks for letting me know.
I did a trial of ortho-k before I got a pair fitted and, yes, my vision went back completely to what it was after a week. As far as eyesight goes, I’m not too bad. My worst eye is -2.5 diopters, no astigmatism.
If I followed your path and went to softs, I’d leave it a couple of weeks before testing, just to make sure that I’m being tested on a reliable “baseline”. I (personally) wouldn’t feel confident being tested for new lenses only a week or so after I’ve dropped my ortho-ks.
Good luck with whatever you choose and thanks for visiting. And if you need to reach me again, try KS at KSAugustin dot Com
Hi Kaz,
Thank you so much for your prompt response! I rushed my initial appointment for soft lenses less than a week after stopping my ortho-k due to vacation plans and the quickly upcoming return to college (it will be difficult to get everything straightened out there). I think that I will take your advice and wait it out a bit longer before going back to the doctor. I couldn’t find much detailed information about stopping ortho-k lenses online so your information is a great help. Thanks again!
Kathy
No problem, Kathy. I know how impatient I would be under such circumstances, but you run the chance of additional eye strain…and we BOTH know what THAT feels like. A little inconvenience now, I know, but it means a clear year ahead while you’re away at college. Have a great year, btw, and study hard but not toooo hard!
Kaz,
I’ve come across OrthoK today (the gas-permeable hard lens worn at night) and has committed to get a pair from the optometrist for my 12Y old son. I do not know much about this treatment until today…Could you pls advise if this is the right move as you’re a wearer? R you still wearing them now?
Hi Angie:
I’ve been using my ortho-k’s for over a year now and am happy with them. If this is for your son, just be sure to take him along for his regular check-ups (a year’s worth are usually included in the price of the lenses, one visit every 3 months).
The optometrist should go through an eye check at each visit and should also measure the curvature of your son’s eyes, test for glaucoma and any adverse reactions and report to you on what they find.
Unlike what I’ve read about some LASIK surgeries, I have found no side effects to ortho-k except for occasional itchiness. I suffer from hayfever and the lenses can irritate my already sensitive eyes, so I would keep some generic antihistamines on hand to give your son in the morning, in case he has the same problem. That clears my problem right up.
If your son takes to orthok’s, then I’ve heard that, after a few months, patients need only wear them overnight 2-3 times a week and their eyesight is fine without the need of the lenses for the rest of the week.
I chose orthok because I’m older and my eyesight is already lengthening, so I wanted a non-permanent solution until they’ve stabilised and I can decide what I want to do.
The only other thing I can think of is that, because the lenses are hard, they are not as comfortable to wear as soft lenses. Make sure your son practises taking them out quickly because it can get quite painful if you pop one in your eye and there’s already a small thread of dust there. Cleaning the lenses after you take them out is also VERY important, so please ensure he doesn’t omit this step.
Hope this helps,
Kaz!