Emerging Trends and Future Innovations Ortho-K is in an exciting phase of growth and innovation, and it’s easy to see why the growing issue of myopia progression is affecting the nation. With the myopia epidemic on the rise globally, parents and practitioners are looking for solutions that are both effective and safe, making Ortho-K an … Continued
Managing Myopia for Pediatrics A myopic parent will likely better understand the signs of early myopia in children, whereas a parent without the refractive error may need more assistance from the eye care professional in education on the visual condition. Early education for parents on myopia and its progression, as well as the available treatment … Continued
Troubleshooting The initial evaluation may reveal issues with lens fit, such as movement, centration, and staining or irregular patterns. Below is a general troubleshooting guide based on the Boston Orthokeratology (oprifocon A) Shaping Lens, to help address any problems identified during the assessment of Ortho-K lenses. Of course, each patient scenario will differ and it’s … Continued
Fitting Techniques It is critical to properly identify a possible candidate for orthokeratology lenses, and then to perform comprehensive fitting techniques to ensure success. Identifying the candidate includes consideration of the contraindications discussed in the Ideal Candidates for Ortho-K section previously. Additionally, day-to-day and lifestyle considerations are crucial, including hobbies, career (if applicable), visual demands, … Continued
Ortho-K Designs Early theories of how orthokeratology lenses worked suggested that the reshaping of the cornea was caused by mechanical pressure exerted by the lens and eyelid on the corneal apex, aligning with Jessen’s “orthofocus” technique. This involved fitting lenses flatter than the cornea’s curvature to achieve the desired refractive change (Frogozo and Kumar 2021). … Continued
Corneal Structure and Topography Parameters The cornea plays a key role in the success of Ortho-K treatments since its structure and topography directly impacts how the eye focuses light. Conditions that are absolute contraindications to orthokeratology include keratoconus and corneal dystrophies. Other anterior segment pathologies such as cataracts, glaucoma, or recurrent eye infections like keratitis … Continued
Ideal Candidates for Ortho-K The effectiveness of Ortho-K relies heavily on several factors, including corneal and ocular health, refractive error elements, topography parameters, among others. Being able to consider all the factors will streamline the fitting process and ultimately determine success. Let’s take a look at some of the general characteristics that may indicate orthokeratology, … Continued
What is Orthokeratology? Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a non-surgical method of vision correction that involves wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape (flatten) the cornea. The reshaping allows light to focus correctly on the retina, providing clear vision for the individual during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. … Continued
Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Lenses DIMS lenses are a new type of spectacle lens designed to create myopic defocus on the retina’s periphery. These lenses have shown encouraging results in recent studies, reducing myopia progression by about 50% and axial elongation by 62% compared to standard single-vision lenses. DIMS lenses work by focusing light … Continued
Surgical Surgical options for treating myopia in children have been explored since the 1990s, primarily for those with high refractive errors or amblyopia who don’t respond well to traditional treatments. These procedures aim to improve vision by reshaping the cornea or implanting a lens to correct the refractive error, offering an alternative when glasses or … Continued
Myopia Management Today, myopia is now recognized for its long-term risks, rather than just as a correctable refractive error. Myopia management is a treatment approach aimed at keeping myopia prescriptions as low as possible in trying to lower the risk of developing serious, sight-threatening eye conditions (Lazarus 2022). Treatment options include lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical, and … Continued
Additionally, data suggests that increased time spent outdoors may be linked with reduced myopia rates. One theory on this was the “light-dopamine” theory, where increased outdoor light intensity can stimulate the release of dopamine, possibly reducing the axial elongation of the eye (Foster and Jiang 2014). Regardless of the causing factor, it is important to … Continued
Reshaping Vision with Ortho-K and Myopia Management Introduction Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and managing myopia progression are among the most exciting and impactful areas in modern eye care. As the rates of myopia continue to climb worldwide, particularly in younger populations, eye care professionals face growing challenges and opportunities in addressing this pressing concern. Myopia isn’t just … Continued
Click to download and print the course. To get the most out of this course, we recommend completing it in an environment free from distractions. Platform Instructions If you prefer to print the course and test questions, the PDF version is located below. Download & Print Courses are now broken down into Lessons. You can … Continued
Dedicating additional time to challenging concepts through extra practice is essential for solidifying comprehension and mastery. We encourage you to assess your knowledge on determining a contact lens prescription using the 1/3 Soft Lens Rule with the following practice problems. The answer key is provided on the last page of the document. The English version … Continued
Dedicating additional time to challenging concepts through extra practice is essential for solidifying comprehension and mastery. We encourage you to assess your knowledge on calculating a new contact lens prescription based on the LARS rule with the following practice problems. The answer key is provided on the last page of the document. The English version … Continued
Conclusion The role of an optician has evolved, combining technical expertise with a focus on patient-centered care. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the essential components that make prescription sunwear and rimless eyewear an integral part of modern optical practice. It covers how to assess UV risks and recommend sunwear solutions that protect against … Continued
Fitting, Adjusting, and Repairing Rimless Eyewear Fitting and adjusting rimless frames require a gentle touch, as too much force can easily damage the lenses or the delicate mountings. Opticians use specialized tools like bracing pliers, jaw-angling pliers, and third-hand tools to make precise adjustments to the temples, end pieces, and bridges without stressing the lenses. … Continued
Lens Coatings and Treatments Lens coatings and edge treatments are essential for rimless eyewear, as reflections and visible edges can stand out more than in traditional frames. Anti-reflective (AR) treatments are particularly helpful for rimless lenses because they reduce reflections and improve clarity, enhancing both vision quality and overall appearance. Many modern AR treatments also … Continued