Ortho-K is generally very good at reducing levels of myopia (and to a lesser extent the degree of astigmatism) for patients of low to moderate degrees of myopia. It involves the use of a reverse-geometry rigid gas permeable lens that is worn overnight that differentially flattens the corneal curvature to reduce the degree of myopia of the wearer.
It is effective for less than 5 dioptres of myopia, and even less of astigmatism. It is generally less effective at higher degrees of myopia and astigmatism. With understanding that it is worn overnight, the user can expect that the myopia will progressively return to baseline levels during the course of the day, and hence cause some vision fluctuation during the daytime.
Ortho-K, together with the use of atropine eye-drops, are the 2 evidence-based and validated treatment options to retard the rate of myopia progression.
The downside of Ortho-K however is that with any contact-lens, scrupulous hand hygiene and maintenance is essential, and there is the ever-present risk of infectious keratitis, especially since the lens is worn overnight whilst sleeping.
Do consider your options, and discuss in detail with your ophthalmologist how any or either of these, or other options would be most suitable for you.
Best of luck!
ESG
