With the start of the new school year in September, many parents notice their children's vision has deteriorated after the "long" holiday break. Some children's myopia has increased by 100 degrees over the past year, and some even show 200 degrees of myopia during their first eye exam.In response to this growing trend of adolescent myopia, many experts recommend scientific corrective measures, such as wearing orthokeratology lenses—commonly known as OK lenses. However, many parents still harbor concerns about using OK lenses. To address these concerns, we've invited an ophthalmology expert from Renshu Medical to answer common questions about OK lenses for parents.
1. Are all OK lenses on the market reliable? Is it true that OK lenses are products long phased out in the United States?
Answer: Orthokeratology lenses are one of the most strictly regulated medical procedures by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Implementation requires compliance with national standards for medical institutions, fitting practitioners, lenses, and patients.Not all myopic adolescents are suitable candidates for orthokeratology lenses. Precise screening and data measurement before fitting are crucial. For safety and effectiveness, fitting must be determined after rigorous screening and evaluation at a certified medical institution. Contrary to rumors, OK lenses are not obsolete in the US. In fact, they remain a highly effective and widely used vision correction method for adolescents globally.
2. What are the criteria for wearing OK lenses?
Answer: First, the fundamental criterion is age—OK lenses can only be used for vision correction in individuals aged eight years or older. Second, they are not recommended for those with high myopia exceeding 600 diopters or astigmatism exceeding 200 diopters, as the results would be suboptimal.Finally, patients with ocular conditions such as keratitis, conjunctivitis, or dry eye syndrome are also not recommended for OK lens wear.
3. Can OK lenses permanently correct vision? What is the underlying principle?
Answer: All forms of myopia are irreversible and cannot be completely cured.Orthokeratology lenses temporarily reduce myopia by utilizing a special reverse-geometry design. This causes the corneal epithelium to undergo "migration" and redistribute, forming a "concave lens" composed of corneal epithelium. This temporarily alters the corneal shape to correct myopia and maintain clear vision.
4. Should I choose orthokeratology or femtosecond laser surgery?
Answer: Orthokeratology, also known as corneal reshaping lenses, is currently a proven effective and scientific method for myopia control. It can slow myopia progression by 50%-60%. Among all myopia prevention methods, wearing corneal reshaping lenses is highly effective and can delay the advancement of myopia to a certain extent.Its key advantage lies in its purely physical, non-surgical approach, making it exceptionally safe and efficient. However, users must diligently clean and store the lenses daily, perform regular protein removal, and attend scheduled follow-up appointments. Femtosecond laser surgery, on the other hand, involves reshaping the cornea through surgical ablation and is not suitable for myopic patients under 18 years of age.
5. What precautions should be taken when using OK lenses? Are there any side effects?
Answer: Wearers must follow proper lens insertion, care, and regular follow-up under medical guidance. Safe OK lens use is highly dependent on the wearer's hygiene habits, requiring strict adherence to cleaning and disinfection protocols.Clinically, doctors have encountered parents rinsing OK lenses with tap water—an absolutely unacceptable practice. If eye discomfort occurs during wear, lenses should be removed immediately and medical attention sought promptly. Under normal circumstances, when used correctly as advised by the doctor and with proper eye hygiene, OK lenses do not cause adverse reactions or side effects.
Renshu Medical's orthokeratology lens fitting follows a rigorous regulatory management system. This encompasses specialist consultations, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, dedicated fitting personnel, standardized fitting procedures, clinic environment sterilization, trial lens management, custom lens fabrication, patient record maintenance, follow-up appointments, and post-treatment monitoring. Specialists and optometrists collaborate seamlessly to deliver comprehensive eye care services.
Currently, Renshu Ophthalmology provides precision medical services for pediatric refractive errors, strabismus and amblyopia, and adult ocular surface diseases. It also offers specialized programs including adolescent eye health management, myopia prevention and treatment, comprehensive eye examinations, and advanced microsurgical procedures for ocular surface conditions. Renshu Medical focuses on preventing and treating myopia in adolescents, creating clearer vision and brighter futures for children.