Non-Surgical Treatment

Many people are surprised that myopia (nearsightedness) can be corrected without surgery. Myopia is caused by a misshape in the cornea that causes light to hit the retina (the cells that transfer images to the brain) incorrectly. Laser surgery "shaves" off parts of the cornea to correct that shape and is permanent. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) has the same results, but uses contact lenses, worn at night, to gently reshape the cornea and is reversible. After your vision is corrected, you will have to continue wearing them at night to maintain the correction, but will be able to be without them in the daytime.

Th FDA approved Ortho-K treatments within a certain range of near-sightedness. It can be used on anyone of any age as long as their eyes are healthy. Meticulous care should be used in cleaning the lens to prevent the onset of infection. A nine month follow-up of patients that had Ortho-K showed that 60 to 70 percent had a correction to 20/20 vision.

The eye doctor first measures the curvature of your cornea, then orders rigid, gas permeable contact lens for you. It may take two or more lenses until you arrive at the one with which you can see well. Side effects may be a glare or "halo" around lights that should decrease over time, but may not fully disappear. Cost is between $800 to $1,500, depending on the doctor's charges. If you decide this isn't for you, just stop wearing the contacts, your eye will return to its original shape and you can return to glasses.