Frequently Asked Questions
Top 20 Frequently Asked Questions About Overnight Corneal Reshaping
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- What are Orthokeratology, Corneal Refractive Therapy and/or Overnight Corneal reshaping?
- How does this process work?
- How long does it take for me to reach my full correction?
- Is this correction permanent?
- How will I see while my eyes are building up to full treatment?
- Who is a good candidate for overnight corneal reshaping?
- Are there any risks involved with this type of treatment?
- If I undergo this treatment, can I still have LASIK?
- I have dry eyes. Is overnight corneal reshaping still an option for me?
- I have heard of Orthokeratology from a friend of mine. She said her uncle tried it 20 years ago, and it took lots of pairs of lenses and almost a year for him to finish his treatment, without a lot of success. How is this different?
- How much does overnight corneal reshaping cost?
- Do you offer financing for the procedure?
- Is there any special care needed for these types of lenses?
- How often do I need to replace my lenses
- If my prescription changes, do I need to pay for a fitting all over again?
- Am I able to see while wearing my corneal reshaping lenses?
- I have never worn contact lenses. How difficult will it be for me to get used to the lenses?
- What if overnight corneal reshaping doesn’t work for me or I don’t like it. Will I get my money back?
- I have had LASIK, but still need to wear glasses or contacts. Am I a candidate for overnight corneal reshaping?
- Will this procedure keep my vision from getting worse in the future?
- What are Orthokeratology, Corneal Refractive Therapy and/or Overnight Corneal reshaping?
- All of the above are really the same thing, just said in a different way. These are all FDA-approved ways to temporarily reduce nearsightedness, with or without moderate astigmatism, with the use of specialized contact lenses worn while sleeping.
- How does this process work?
- While sleeping, the retainer lens causes your tear film to alter the shape of the central outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium. The epithelium becomes flatter, and the epithelial cells migrate peripherally, allowing for a central circular area of the cornea that is flatter than it was before. This new shape allows you to see as if you were wearing your glasses or contact lenses.
- How long does it take for me to reach my full correction?
- Typically, it takes 7-10 days before you reach your full correction and it lasts all day long. However, it varies from person to person and from prescription to prescription. Usually higher amounts of nearsightedness take a little longer to treat.
- Is this correction permanent?
- No. If you discontinue wearing your lenses while you sleep, your vision will return to its normal state in as little as 3-5 days.
- How will I see while my eyes are building up to full treatment?
- During the period of time when your eyes are reaching full correction, you may need to wear supplemental soft contacts during part of the day and evening. During your after the first night of wear, your eye care practitioner will determine what prescription you need, if any, to minimize any visual discomfort during the fitting process.
- Who is a good candidate for overnight corneal reshaping?
- Patients with up to 6.00 diopters of nearsightedness with or without moderate astigmatism and up to 3.00 diopters of farsightedness with or without astigmatism. Also, this treatment is FDA approved for people of all ages, so children make excellent candidates due to their active lifestyles. Prior to the fitting process, you will need to undergo a comprehensive eye examination to ensure your eyes are healthy and there are no medical issues that would make overnight corneal reshaping a poor choice for you.
- Are there any risks involved with this type of treatment?
- There are risks involved with any type of contact lens wear. Overnight corneal reshaping has been found to be as safe as any other kind of contact lens wear, and safer than overnight soft contact lens wear.
- If I undergo this treatment, can I still have LASIK?
- Yes, as long as you have discontinued your treatment and your corneas have returned to their pre-treatment shape, which usually takes no longer than 7-10 days.
- I have dry eyes. Is overnight corneal reshaping still an option for me?
- Yes, you are still a candidate for overnight corneal reshaping, but you may need to treat your dry eyes either before or during the fitting process. Your eye care practitioner will evaluate your dry eye problem and determine how you should proceed.
- I have heard of Orthokeratology from a friend of mine. She said her uncle tried it 20 years ago, and it took lots of pairs of lenses and almost a year for him to finish his treatment, without a lot of success. How is this different?
- Orthokeratology is not a new concept. Actually, it has been around for over 30 years. Unfortunately, the idea was ahead of its time. The technology did not exist at that time to make orthokeratology successful. In recent years, advances in materials, designs, manufacturing and eye care have allowed orthokeratology to become a safe and successful alternative to surgery, spectacles and daytime contact lens wear.
- How much does overnight corneal reshaping cost?
- Based on your prescription and corneal shape, we can estimate how many office visits you will need for your fitting and follow-up, and what lens design would be best for you. We developed a tiered pricing structure based on that information. After your consultation we will be able to give you an exact cost for the procedure.
- Do you offer financing for the procedure?
- Yes. We have established a relationship with a company called Care Credit. This company offers a 12 month interest free plan if you are interested. They also offer plans for fewer than 12 months or more than 12 months. We will be happy to discuss all of your payment options at the time of your consultation.
- Is there any special care needed for these types of lenses?
- No. These lenses are taken care of just like any other gas permeable contact lens.
- How often do I need to replace my lenses
- There is no set replacement schedule for your lenses. As long as the lenses stay in good shape and your prescription does not change, you can continue wearing them. We always recommend a spare pair of lenses in case one breaks or gets lost. You can purchase a spare pair at a reduced cost as soon as your treatment is completed.
- If my prescription changes, do I need to pay for a fitting all over again?
- No. Typically your prescription changes at a rate that would allow us to make a small change in your lens parameters that would only necessitate purchasing a new pair of lenses. After the first year, your annual cost should be about the same as if you were wearing traditional contact lenses.
- Am I able to see while wearing my corneal reshaping lenses?
- Yes. All of the corneal reshaping designs we use allow you to see well at distance while wearing them. Depending on your age, you may still need to wear reading glasses with or without your lenses on.
- I have never worn contact lenses. How difficult will it be for me to get used to the lenses?
- Since these lenses are meant to only be worn while sleeping, it is much easier to adapt to wearing them. Patients are ordinarily over the break-in period within 3-5 days.
- What if overnight corneal reshaping doesn’t work for me or I don’t like it. Will I get my money back?
- In the rare instance the procedure is unsuccessful or you are not satisfied with your outcome, you will have the option of being fit in traditional contact lenses, receiving spectacles, or having part of your fee applied towards refractive surgery. If none of these options appeal to you, a portion of your fee will be refunded once you have returned your corneal reshaping lenses.
- I have had LASIK, but still need to wear glasses or contacts. Am I a candidate for overnight corneal reshaping?
- Perhaps, as each patient would need to be evaluated prior to making that determination.
- Will this procedure keep my vision from getting worse in the future?
- No, not that we know of. There have been a few studies done on this topic, one of which is still ongoing, but no conclusive evidence has proven that corneal reshaping will arrest the development of nearsightedness or astigmatism.