Myopia (nearsightedness) affects 1.89 billion people worldwide, and Orthokeratology refers to a process deigned to minimize the problem and its progression. If you suffer from myopia, you should learn more about this eye-opening option and if it will work for you.
Who is At Risk?
People who suffer from myopia the most include seniors, athletes (especially swimmers), and children. People with a family of nearsightedness also have a higher risk. People who are not at risk can still develop myopia, so don’t think it can’t happen to you.
How Can I Tell If I Have Myopia?
Myopia refers to the ability to see things up close but not far away. The best way to determine if you have myopia is to visit an optometrist and get an eye test. However, some signs that should convince you to get to a doctor include:
- persistent squinting
- inability to see far away objects
- headaches
- inability to read road signs
- excessive blinking
- rubbing eyes
What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology is a popular method of treating myopia. You place am individually fitted contact lens onto the eye, and this lens flattens the cornea with the intention of improving your vision. The doctor will map your cornea to create your unique contact lens. Most people wear the contact at night and take it out during the day, which is the opposite of regular contacts. You need to continue to wear the contacts to see the improvement.
Is Orthokeratology Safe?
Orthokeratology has very minimal risk. There is the slight possibility of infection, but this can be minimized by proper contact care. There is also a very small risk of even more eye damage that can’t be repaired. These risks should not deter anyone from considering the option, as they are unlikely at best.
Are There Other Options?
You can choose to look into glasses, regular contacts, or LASIK instead of orthokeratology. Talk to an eyecare professional at Evolutionary Eye Care to learn more about your options and what options will be the best for you.
