Contact  Lens Associates Ortho-K Optometrist 301/277-6100   Ortho-K Ortho-K is a safe non-surgical procedure  designed to improve natural vision without  corrective lenses. Most mild astigmatic,  hyperopic, or farsighted conditions can be  reduced dramatically, or even eliminated. Even  patients, who are extremely myopic, or  nearsighted, can achieve dramatic improvements  that will allow them to have functional vision  without lenses. Ortho-K is sometimes referred to  as orthodontics for the eyes because it gently  reshapes the cornea through a series of custom  fitted lenses. Because the tissue of the cornea  is soft and moldable, the result is corrected  vision. Retainer lenses must be worn on a  part-time basis to maintain the optimum shape of  the cornea. The Orthokeratology procedure involves thorough  eye examinations, lens changes and/or lens  modifications as needed until the desired results  are obtained. The process can take from six weeks  to a few months or longer to complete, depending  on the severity of the problem. The result is  dramatically improved vision with retainer lenses  being worn on a limited basis, sometimes only at  night during sleep, to maintain the new shape of  the cornea.     To really  understand how Ortho-K changes your vision, you  must first understand how your eye works.     The  Eye The primary function of your eye is  to focus light. Your eye works like a  camera. The cornea, at the front of your  eye, provides most of the focusing power.  The lens, inside your eye, provides the  fine tuning and reading ability. The  retina, at the back of your eye, acts  like the film. For you to see clearly,  light rays must focus precisely on the  retina. You need glasses and contacts  when the eye cannot properly direct light  rays on the retina. People who wear  corrective lenses might have one of the  following problems.   Myopia  (Nearsightedness) Myopia (near objects are clearer than  distant objects) occurs when your eye is  too long in relation to the curvature of  your cornea. Light rays entering the eye  come to a focus in front of the retina,  producing a blurred image.     Hyperopia  (Farsightedness) Hyperopia (distant objects are clearer than  near objects) occurs when your eye is too short  in relation to the curvature of your cornea.  Light rays entering the eye come to focus behind  the retina, producing a blurred image.   Astigmatism Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is too oval.  Usually the cornea is shaped like a baseball, but  when there is an astigmatism, the cornea is  shaped more like a football. The result is  unequal bending of light rays entering the eye.  This produces different focal points and results  in distortion.

Please contact our Webmaster with questions or comments.
© Copyright 1998 Company Name, Inc.  All rights reserved.