Orthokeratology is Suitable for Patients of Just About Any Age Over 6 – Provided They’re a Good Candidate for the Treatment
Having a vision problem can cause a lot of inconveniences in our day-to-day tasks. It becomes even more frustrating when there is a need to participate in activities requiring clear eyesight.
Glasses or the use of daytime contact lenses and be time-consuming and uncomfortable. Not to mention you can easily misplace your glasses and have trouble locating a transparent contact lens that has popped out.
Orthokeratology and Ortho K lenses can be an excellent alternative. But is there an age limit for wearing an Ortho K Lens?
What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology is a vision therapy called “Ortho K” or “corneal reshaping therapy” (aka CRT). This vision shaping treatment is used to treat myopia.
Orthokeratology uses night lenses for reshaping or changing the cornea’s curvature temporarily to provide you clear vision during the day without the need to wear glasses or a daytime contact lens.
This custom-made gas-permeable contact lens gets worn overnight during sleep and removed during the day. They apply gentle pressure to let the light rays enter the eye to refocus the retina.
Is There an Age Limit for Orthokeratology?
About 161 million people with uncorrected refractive errors can get treated through vision therapy, such as orthokeratology. But the question is who is eligible? Is there an age limit associated with orthokeratology?
You Should be 6 or Over. While there is no age limit for Orthokeratology, a Visit to Your Eye Doctor Will Help to Determine if You’re a Suitable Candidate for Ortho-K.
Although your age may play a role in how long it will take for you to see optimal results.
Children, teens, and adults can enjoy the lasting effects of this vision correction procedure. However, you still need to consider a few things regarding age groups.
Pros and Cons of Orthokeratology for Children and Teens
Since youngsters and adolescents have active lifestyles, Ortho K treatment will provide a convenient alternative for glasses and lenses. It will be beneficial if they are involved in physical activities such as sports.
Additionally, orthokeratology lens is easier to manage since you don’t need to wear them during the day. Research also shows that it can slow myopic progression among children.
On the other hand, it can alter a younger patient’s eyesight. In later years, their eyesight may change more than adults’ as they undergo growth spurts during adolescence. They may need to have more frequent follow on office visits when compared to adults.
Pros and Cons of Orthokeratology for Adults
Adults can also benefit from undergoing corneal refractive therapy. First, it is much more convenient during the day because you are unencumbered by glasses or contacts.
It is also cheaper than laser eye surgery and other corrective vision treatment procedures.
However, adults who undergo this protocol must adhere to safety protocols. Using orthokeratology lenses may make the eye prone to infection or irritation like dry eye when used long term. This especially applies if the lenses aren’t used as prescribed. Hence, they must pay attention and follow the doctor’s instructions to meet the desired effect.
Cost Considerations with Orthokeratology
Ortho K can be employed for myopia management, hyperopia, and ins many cases astigmatism. Before deciding if this is the right option, it is essential to take cost considerations into mind.
Initial Costs Associated with Orthokeratology Treatment
The initial cost of orthokeratology treatments can vary. It will depend on factors such as age group and type of lens prescribed. In general, treatment like this involves an upfront cost for the evaluation appointment, fitting fees, and the equipment or tools needed for successful treatment. In this case, out-of-pocket expenses will be covered before the start of treatment.
Ongoing Costs Associated with Maintenance Treatments
Another thing to consider when it comes to cost is the ongoing costs involved over time. Permanent orthokeratology requires periodic eye exams and maintenance visits to an your eye doctr. This is to ensure proper fit and effectivity of the night lenses.
Additional Appointments
Throughout the year, an additional appointment may be required. This is done to assess the progress of the eyesight and make necessary adjustments.
Safety Considerations with Orthokeratology Treatment
With orthokeratology treatment, GP lenses or gas-permeable lenses get worn overnight. The lens will gently reshape the cornea so the retina can focus properly. However, The use of Ortho-K lenses has been proven a safe and effective treatment. But, there are still risks associated with it.
Age
As emphasized above, the negative impacts of orthokeratology are linked to age. Most optometrists do not recommend this treatment for children below ten years old. That is because their eyes are still rapidly developing and growing at this age.
Side Effects
There are possible side effects to this form of therapy. Wearing lenses at night can cause dry eye as it will reduce the production of tears. Redness and irritation can also occur if the patient frequently rubs their eyelids.
These symptoms will subside after a few days. These side effects are manageable if the lenses get regularly cleaned and lubricating drops get used.
FAQs concerning Is There an Age Limit for Orthokeratology?
Is there an age limit for Ortho-K?
There is no set age limit for Ortho-K, but candidates should be six years of age or older. Both children and adults can use these lenses to correct their eyesight. It is non-surgical and only involves wearing special contact lenses overnight. But, this may not be as effective for people with pronounced myopia. However, they may notice improvement after just a few days, and even more signficant improvement in their vision after a few weeks of treatment.
What are the vision requirements for Ortho-K?
According to the The British Indo Pacific Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, the ideal patient candidate should be within the range of +2.00 to -6.00 with no more than -1.75 diopters of surface astigmatism. The effectiveness of orthokeratology also depends on the patient’s condition.
Up until recently, it has been used to correct mild to moderate levels of nearsightedness and astigmatism. It can also be employed by those with higher degrees of myopia or astigmatism. However, a thorough eye exam must be performed by the optometrist to find out if it is safe and effective.
Can kids use Ortho-K?
Yes, kids can use an orthokeratology lens. Children as young as six may be eligible for Ortho-K treatment as it can correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Furthermore, it offers safe treatment options, a great alternative to using glasses or lenses for all ages.
What is the age limit for myopia control?
As of now, there is no age limit for myopia control. The treatment will get pursued in line with the patient’s needs. However, children under eight years old or older may not get recommended for myopia management, such as orthokeratology. An optometrist can then advise other measures, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, regardless of the patient.
Getting Started with Your Ortho K Treatment
Call our office in Fair Lawn, NJ to set up an exam with our eye doctor, Dr. Knapp. During this exam Dr. Knapp will evaluate your overall eye health and determine if Orth K Contact Lenses are right for you. Our office provides comprehensive eye care services. If it turns out that Ortho K isn’t a good fit for you, Dr. Knapp will put together a custom treatment plan to improve your vision.
