Orthokeratology & the Role of Myopia Treatment in Children

When your child suffers from complications involving eye and vision disorders, early in life, there can be many questions with regard to ophthalmology treatment and what you can expect. While many children are offered the use of corrective lenses early in childhood, there are some who will undergo a more unique and advanced form of treatment.

Known as orthokeratology, children who have been diagnosed with myopia may be provided with this unique form of ophthalmology care designed to slow the myopic condition. A treatment that involves the use of fitted lenses to the child's eyes, worn only at night, parents are often skeptical of this form of treatment for myopia. If your child's ophthalmologist has recommended the use of orthokeratology, in the treatment of myopia, it is important to consider this as a trial option first.

Orthokeratology is a relatively new form of treatment of myopia in children. While it has been used successful outside of the United States, many children within the United States have yet to experience this form of treatment. Requiring the use of a fitted lens, during the night while sleeping, many children are not prepared, psychologically, for this form of treatment. In addition to psychological implications, children with myopia are also at risk for eye injury, including corneal abrasion or corneal ulceration, when engaging in orthokeratology therapy. When visiting with the ophthalmologist, be certain you ask about these risks, both physical and psychological.