Written by Min Ying Yu
With the proliferation of technology in modern society, it is no surprise that more and more young people are spending time continuously staring at bright screens varying from as small as four inches to as big as hundreds of inches. In fact, according to Optometry Times, roughly 65% of people stare at a display screen for three to nine hours a day [1]. However, with continuous use of technology comes poorer vision. This trend has led to people developing medical conditions under the classification of digital eye strain, which is a category of optometric and ophthalmological conditions that develop as a result of staring at a technological device for a prolonged period of time [2]. Among these conditions are myopia and astigmatism. A common solution that optometrists use to combat digital eye strain conditions is by prescribing their patients glasses or contact lenses. Therefore, for those who fear getting deeper prescriptions or those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day, there is now a nighttime corrective solution called orthokeratology lenses, more commonly known as “ortho-k lenses.”
Orthokeratology lenses are gas-permeable contact lenses that are designed to gently reshape the cornea while a person sleeps at night. When the person wakes up, he or she can take them off and may have their vision improved up to -6.00 diopters of myopia [2]. As a result, they are able to go without glasses or contact lenses the next day during the daytime and still see clearly. The lenses’ benefits are maximized when a person sleeps with them on for at least eight hours. After two weeks, the person will start to have improved vision [2]. However, the person must continue wearing the lenses every night in order to maintain improved vision during the day. If a person discontinues their use of orthokeratology lenses for more than a few days, their vision will revert back to its original state. So, who is eligible for wearing them? Anyone at any age can try orthokeratology lenses, especially younger people because their vision can be more easily corrected.
While the technological revolution of our time has done much to improve our daily standards of living, it is imperative that we don’t let it further encroach upon our eye health. As discussed, orthokeratology lenses are now a solution for digital eye strain conditions given its many advantages. However, because everyone’s eyes function differently, it is important that you talk to an optometrist to see if orthokeratology lenses are truly the right treatment for you.
References:
1. Heiting, OD Gary. “Orthokeratology: Reshaping Your Eyes With Contact Lenses.” All About Vision. Web. 21 May 2017.
2. Sikes, OD Scott. “How Digital Devices Are Affecting Vision.” OptometryTimes. 18 Aug. 2014. Web. 21 May 2017.