What is orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology refers to a technique designed to temporarily reshape the cornea using specialized gas-permeable contact lenses. This process involves wearing these lenses during sleep, which flattens the cornea, leading to changes in the curvature of the eye that can temporarily improve vision during the day without the need for lenses or glasses.

The lenses are specifically designed to gradually mold the corneal shape overnight. The effects are reversible, meaning that once the lenses are discontinued, the cornea will gradually return to its original shape. This method is particularly popular among individuals seeking to correct nearsightedness or myopia without undergoing surgical procedures.

Understanding this, the focus is on the temporary nature of the reshaping and the use of contact lenses rather than a permanent alteration or surgical approach, which distinguishes orthokeratology from other methods of vision correction.