ORTHOKERATOLOGY

The ancient Chinese put small bags of sand on their eyelids at night to reduce myopia and to see better during the day. It is a classical notion which is undoubtedly one of the first attempts at corneal reshaping: orthokeratology.

WHAT IS ORTHOKERATOLOGY?

Orthokeratology is the technique of wearing flexible lenses at night to flatten the cornea and thereby decrease or cancel out myopia during the day. This technique, advocated by Anglo-Saxon optometrists since the 1960s, deserves to be studied.

We use reverse geometry tetracurve lenses which must be worn at least 6 to 8 hours each night to have a refractive effect. A reduction or disappearance of myopia is obtained for approximately 24 to 48 hours. It is advisable to use sodium hyaluronate for the insertion of the lens.

It often takes many attempts to obtain a satisfactory effect. The cessation of nocturnal wear leads to a reappearance of the myopia, with the cornea returning to its initial shape. The development of a peripheral pigmented corneal ring is sometimes described.

Only an ophthalmologist is able to make a medical diagnosis and see if there are no contraindications. Any equipment outside the medical framework of course entails certain medico-legal risks and severe consequences, with the notion of loss of chance for the patient.