orthokeratology society of australia
orthokeratology society australia
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Orthokeratology
orthok FAQ and history

History

Orthokeratology, (also referred to as ortho-k) was first introduced to contact lens practitioners by the famous optometrist George Jessen in 1962. The initial flurry into orthokeratology was hindered by poor technology and understanding of the criteria needed to successfully and predictably correct myopia.

Orthokeratology re emerged as a viable

  
alternative from 1989 due to the development of new technologies.
  1. New machines (lathes) enabled more accurate manufacture of contact lenses. This was needed to develop a new design of contact lens, the so-called ‘reverse geometry lens’. The lens was developed by an optometrist and a contact lens manufacturer. The new design allowed quick, accurate and predictable change of mild to moderate levels of myopia.

    Orthokeratology then entered a new period with the new lenses delivering ‘accelerated orthokeratology’. Optometrists fitting current ortho-k designs report that after only 1 hour certain patients have had 2.00 dioptres of myopia corrected.

  2. The development of corneal topographers. These allow practitioners to analyse and record the whole shape of the cornea leading to the more accurate design of contact lenses. Previous technology only allowed optometrists to measure the central 3 mm of the cornea. With this computerised technology corneal shape changes can be compared from visit to visit.

  3. The availability of new contact lens material that deliver a lot more oxygen to the cornea. With these new materials patients can safely wear orthokeratology lenses overnight being free from contact lenses during waking hours.
With these changes there has been an upsurge in interest in the technique among contact lens specialists. There has also been an enormous interest in the technique among researchers and academics that has resulted in an exponential increase in the numbers published on this technique and an increased amount of funding for research from governments and industry bodies.

Increasing myopia is becoming an epidemic in some Asian countries, where up to 80% of adults have this condition. Recent findings on the ability of ortho k lens wear to slow the progression of myopia means that the lens modality could become a major technique for the control of myopia progression. As such orthokeratology is now in a position where it is ready to become a part of mainstream optometric practice.
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