Orthokeratology Video

Corneal Molding (orthokeratology) the LASIK alternative

Corneal molding or orthokeratology is a good alternative to LASIK. This is true for a number of reasons.

1. COST: The initial investment for corneal molding is about 1/2 that of LASIK. During our current recession this opens a door for those who would avoid LASIK because of its cost.

2. DRY EYES: The LASIK procedure requires that a flap is cut in the cornea (the front part of the eye). Regardless of the method used to cut the flap, the process severs nerves that regulate tear flow. Often this leads to dry eye syndrome that can be discomforting in the form of burning and stinging.

3. NON-SURGICAL: Corneal molding is non-surgical. If prescription changes then the mold can easily be adjusted. There is no anesthesia needed, it is not permanent and that is a plus for those who avoid surgery at all costs.

4. PRE-ADULTS: Young people can have this procedure done because it is non-surgical. The risks of corneal molding is equivalent to that of wearing rigid contact lenses. Kids who are active in sports can be great candidates for orthokeratology.

Corneal molding is a viable alternative to LASIK. Clear View Eye Care can answer any more questions you might have about the procedure.

How to save money on youR vision

Five ways to save money on your eyes.

1. Vision insurance: if you have vision insurance like VSP or spectera use your benefits. Don’t let benefits lapse because it is not an emergency.
2. Health insurance: Remember that healthy vision is a medical concern and will pay for your vision exam
3. Find alternatives: If you cannot afford LASIK right now try Corneal Molding. With our special you could be free from contacts and glasses for as little as $500.
4. Do not procrastinate: Postponing your yearly eye exam can lead to far more expensive problems that are vision threatening.
5. Star Values: You can get frames and lenses for as little as $89. Optimal vision can improve your quality of life and increase productivity. Star Values can clear things up without cleaning out your wallet.

Orthokeratology to treat myopia

PENN LAIRD - Dae'Quan Scott wears a pair of contact lenses that don't look like regular contact lenses. They're grayish with tints of green and blue colored in concentric rectangles around his pupils.

For generations parents have watched their children's eye glasses grow thicker and thicker every year and have wondered what they could have done to prevent or treat the nearsightedness that has affected their children's eyes.

First it is important to understand what is and causes nearsightedness. Nearsightedness is a focusing defect caused by eyes that have too much focusing power for their length. The eyeball is too long and light rays coming from a distant object come into focus before reaching the retina. With nearsightedness, as a child grows so do their eyes, and their nearsightedness becomes worse.

Children with nearsightedness may complain of headaches, eyestrain and fatigue from trying to see something that is too far away. You may notice your child squinting, turning their head sideways, or just sitting closer to the TV to see it more clearly. If you notice any of these traits, take your child to an optometrist to have their eyes checked.

Approximately 40% of the population has nearsightedness or will develop it at some point in their lives. Usually nearsightedness will begin to appear between the ages of eight and twelve and will increase during the teen years leveling off at about age 25. Nearsightedness can occur at any age though. Approximately 5% of children are born with nearsightedness and the condition has been known to start with adults as late in age as 80.

Nearsightedness in children is determined both by a recessive trait inherited from the child's parents and the manner in which individuals use their eyes when performing detailed close-up work. In cases where nearsightedness is inherited the condition is impossible to prevent although treatable.

Children should have their eyes checked every year as often they themselves are unaware of how distant objects should look. There are a number of ways to treat nearsightedness including the wearing of eye glasses or contacts as well as orthokeratology. Eye exercises are of no benefit in treating nearsightedness since they can not alter the size or shape of the eye.

Until recently the traditional treatment for nearsightedness was eyeglasses. Although glasses do not affect the progression of nearsightedness, they do help individuals see more clearly. Since children are growing and their nearsightedness increasing, it is not uncommon for a child to need new glasses several times a year. For glasses, impact resistant lenses are required by law and polycarbonate plastic, the best possible protection against eye injuries, is recommended for all children.

A more advanced treatment for progressive nearsightedness is orthokeratology. Orthokeratology uses computer designed vision retainers to reshape the front surface of the eye to slow down or stop advancing nearsightedness in children and teens. While similar to contact lenses, the vision retainers are worn only at nighttime during sleep. They are then removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses.

Original Post from: http://contact-lenses28023.blogspot.com/2008/10/leemen-blow-past-blazers-harrisonburg.html

LASIK vs Corneal Molding

This is a good post comparing LASIK to corneal molding. There are certain risks but the risks involved in LASIK such as dry eyes, poorly cut flaps etc are not a part of corneal molding.

The advantage that LASIK has over corneal molding is that if you have LASIK the potential is to be free of all correction.

Still, LASIK is not the best fit for everyone. If you are nervous about surgery or have dry eyes then corneal molding might be a better fit. Also, if prescription does change in the future then it is far easier to adjust it in corneal molding. Clear View Eye Care

Myopic orthokeratology is getting better

Myopic orthokeratology is an amazing procedure that can help an increasing range of patients. The WAVE contact lens system can help patients up to about 6 diopters. Hyperopic orthokeratology is still in its early stages but may get better as the technology improves. Clear View Eye Care

Corneal Molding is great for sports.

Corneal Molding is great for those who are active in sports. The advantage is that you can discard your glasses and contacts to get clear vision through the day. It can be done on kids because it is non surgical and can be adjusted if their prescription changes. It is great for swimmers and skiers because contacts should not be worn in water and prescription goggles can be a hassle. If you are in a physical sport like karate contact lenses can come out easily.

Corneal molding is a procedure that reshapes the eye during night time hours. A corneal mold corrects your vision while you sleep.

For a short time Clear View Eye Care is promoting Corneal Molding by offering it at 75% off. If you are interested in this procedure and how it might help you or your children contact us for more information.

More on orthokeratology

What Orthokeratology Is

In the most basic of terms Accelerated Overnight Orthokeratology or Ortho-k is the science of changing the curvature or shape of the cornea to change how light is focused on the retina at the back of one's eye. Think of the cornea as the eye's equivalent of a watch crystal. It is a clear, dome shaped structure that overlies the colored iris. Its tissue is most similar to clear, wet skin; and like skin it is very pliable. Because the cornea separates the eye from air and the rest of the outside world and because it has a curvature that bends light towards the back of the eye, it is responsible for most of the eye's corrective power and contributes to various conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and the blur of astigmatism.

When you choose Ortho-k a few key tests must be performed. Chief among these tests is the determination that your eyes are healthy. The Orthokeratologist will examine the retina and also the health of the outside of the eye. The other key procedure is the mapping of your cornea. To do this an instrument called a Topographer is used. Just like a topographical map of a camping area show hills, plains, and valleys; the topography of the eye shows your doctor exactly how your cornea is shaped. The information from your corneal mapping plus the size of your cornea and the prescription needed to correct your vision are all used to design the retainer lenses or corneal molds needed to create the Ortho-k effect.

On the day you pick up your Ortho-k retainer lenses you will be instructed in how to insert, remove, and take care your vision retainers. The fit of your retainers will be evaluated and you will be scheduled to be seen after your first night of wear. On day 1, your doctor will re-evaluate your fit and newly corrected vision and another mapping of your cornea will be performed. Throughout your initial fitting period, your Orthokeratologist will monitor your corneal health and the effectiveness of treatment. At certain times your retainer lens fit may be modified to achieve your goals.

Orthokeratology can produce results in a surprisingly short period of time. The length of treatment to achieve your goals can vary from patient to patient. Factors which can affect the speed of treatment include:

* your initial prescription
* corneal rigidity
* tear quality and quantity
* your expectations.

We advise patients that they may need to use their retainers every night to maintain their newly corrected vision although some patients are able to vary their wearing time to once every two to four nights. The reason for this is due to the flexibility of your cornea.

To get a sense of how this all works, just remove a ring from one of your fingers. You may notice an indentation where the band was. In a way, you've been doing "orthokeratology on your own finger". Over time if you stop wearing your ring this indentation will go away. Ortho-k has a similar effect on your cornea; stop wearing your retainers and your cornea and your vision will return to their original state before treatment.

And that's really the beauty of Orthokeratology; it is the NON-SURGICAL, NON-INVASIVE, FULLY REVERSIBLE alternative to refractive eye surgery!
Source: Orthokeratology Academy of America

Corneal Molding

Enjoy clear vision through the day without glasses or contacts. A corneal mold reshapes the eye during sleep to provide clear vision throught the day. It is safe for kids, great for active people and is about 1/2 the cost of LASIK. Corneal molding is also known as orthokeratology. It has been around for a number of years but new technology has greatly increased the accuracy and predictability of orthokeratology.