Corneal Shaping
Sleep….Shape….See…..
Contact lenses for Corneal Shaping, the modern term for orthokeratology, are inserted at bedtime and worn overnight while you sleep. Through the night, the Corneal Shaping lenses allow micron level change to the front surface of your eye (the cornea) using fluid dynamics of the tear film along with the contact lens to correct your vision.
As a result of this tear fluid dynamic on the corneal epithelium while you sleep, you can see great without glasses or contact lenses through the next day, in most cases. Six to eight hours of lens wear while you sleep is required for best results.
Who is a candidate for Corneal Shaping?
Children and adults (ages 8-60) dependent on eyeglasses or contacts
Patients who want to correct their vision without the use of traditional contacts or glasses worn in the daytime
Patients looking for an alternative to LASIK surgery due to age or non-qualification
Patients who have difficulties wearing traditional contact lenses in the daytime because of dry eyes or allergies
What results can you expect from Corneal Shaping?
The goal is to correct your vision so that you will not need glasses or contact lenses during the day. In FDA trial, more than 65% of patients achieved 20/20 visual acuity after wearing the lenses overnight for a period of time. More than 90% were able to see 20/40 or better.
How long does Corneal Shaping take?
You will see some improvement in your vision after a day or two of overnight lens wear. For lower corrections, full correction may take less than a week. For higher corrections, it can take several weeks, or more, for the full effect to be experienced. During this time, your vision will not be as clear as it was with glasses or contacts, you are likely to notice some glare and halos around lights. It’s possible that you may need a temporary pair of eyeglasses for certain tasks, like driving at night, until your vision is fully corrected by the Corneal Shaping lenses.
Is Corneal Shaping comfortable?
Since Corneal Shaping lenses are worn during sleep, comfort and lens awareness are generally not a problem. Corneal Shaping works by fluid dynamics on the cornea, not pressure from the Corneal Shaping lens itself. There is always a fluid layer between the lens and the cornea while you sleep.
Can I have LASIK after Corneal Shaping?
Yes – we have patients that have had LASIK surgery in the early adult years after wearing Corneal Shaping lenses for many years. Because these specialty lenses temporarily reshape your cornea, you must stop wearing the lenses for a period of time so your eyes can return to their original shape and stabilize. Be sure to tell your LASIK surgeon that you’ve worn Corneal Shaping lenses, so they can advise you how long you should wait before having the surgery.
