American scientists have developed an advanced treatment for myopia that revolutionises vision – corneal reshaping therapy, which applies rigid, specially designed contact lenses for overnight wear.  This treatment method is currently being adopted widely in the U.S. and many other countries around the world.

The prevalence of modern technology means that children are now exposed to computers and smartphones at much younger age. Focusing on a screen is thought to be a potential cause of myopia. Childhood myopia is proven affect academic performance, hinder children’s involvement in sports and recreation activities, and can lead to other diseases. Myopia can progress quickly; early detection and proper treatment are crucial to ensuring optimal visual development in children with myopia.

In response to these needs, American scientists developed a corneal reshaping treatment via specially designed contact lenses designed for overnight wear.

Reshaping the cornea using rigid, overnight contact lenses – the most effective vision correction method for children

L.T.K, an elementary student in Ho Chi Minh City, was diagnosed with myopia four years ago. With -4.00D myopia at such young age, K. faces many obstacles in his daily activities and at school, which is especially concerning because K. is at his peak age for growth and development. After close examination, Dr Nguyen Thi Mai – Head of Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery Department, FV Hospital, introduced to K. the latest myopia treatment – corneal reshaping (ORTHO-K method), which is proven to be effective and suitable for children who haven’t reached 18 years old, the optimal age for refractive surgery.

L.T.K, an elementary student in Ho Chi Minh City, was diagnosed with myopia four years ago. With -4.00D myopia at such young age, K. faces many obstacles in his daily activities and at school, which is especially concerning because K. is at his peak age for growth and development. After close examination, Dr Nguyen Thi Mai – Head of Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery Department, FV Hospital, introduced to K. the latest myopia treatment – corneal reshaping (ORTHO-K method), which is proven to be effective and suitable for children who haven’t reached 18 years old, the optimal age for refractive surgery.

Firstly, Dr Mai assisted K. in choosing the right type of contact lenses that suits his condition. These rigid, overnight contact lenses that help to reshape the cornea were certified safe to be used for all ages by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. These contact lenses are manufactured with gas permeable material that provides the necessary amount of oxygen for patients’ eyes to “breathe” during sleep. The material used to manufacture these contact lenses has been tested three times during NASA Space Shuttle missions in the 1990s.

K. was instructed thoroughly by Dr Mai on how to correctly apply the overnight contact lenses for corneal reshaping, as well as how to take proper care of his eyes and contact lenses upon removal in the morning. Dr Mai explains: “At night, when K. is at sleep, highly oxygen-permeable contact lenses ORTHO-K will gently and temporarily adjust the shape of his cornea. ORTHO-K lenses don’t impose physical pressure onto the eyes, but reduce the hydrostatic pressure on the eye’s tear film – the adjacent layer to contact lenses and the cornea, and gently reshapes the corneal epithelial cells (the outer corneal layer). This will ultimately change the curvature of the corneal surface and pull it into the optimised optical form. In the morning, upon removing his contact lenses, K. will enjoy crisp and clear vision during his waking hours.”

Corneal reshaping contact lenses can bring about sharp and clear vision for myopia patients during daily activities without having to use conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, the corneal reshaping affect that results from ORTHO-K is temporary. Once discontinued, your vision will revert back to the initial state prior to the start of treatment. That being said, this method is still adapted widely thanks to its great compatibility with young children, or those who are not eligible for refractive surgery.

Benefits of ORTHO-K treatment

In addition to offering myopia patients with visual freedom to perform well at work, at school, in sports and other daily activities without wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, ORTHO-K is also appreciated for its research-based ability to significantly slow down or prevent the progression of myopia in children.

ORTHO-K is worn overnight, and applied by the wearer around 15 to 30 minutes prior to sleep. To achieve the best results, the wearer should sleep for six to eight hours per night. Contact lenses are removed immediately upon waking up in the morning. Based on each patient’s age, condition and initial refractive error, it will take from 1 to several weeks of treatment to achieve optimum vision. That being said, there are many cases in which patients can obtain optimum vision after only a few days, or even the day after the first night of treatment. The recommended length of time to wear contact lenses is for six to eight hours per night. Stable vision throughout the day is usually achieved after one to two months; some patients are even able to skip a day between wearing lenses.

Who should consider ORTHO-K treatment?

• Children with progressive myopia
• Children and young adults who want to be glasses-free but are too young for refractive surgery
• People who find wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses during the daytime inconvenient
• People who are not good candidates, or don’t want to experience invasive refractive surgery